Medical experts have urged Muslim women to prioritise preventive healthcare and consult qualified professionals before acting on health advice found on social media and artificial intelligence platforms.
The experts spoke at the seventh Muslimah Health Forum, organised by Bountiis Charity Initiative at the Lagos State Central Mosque Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday. The event focused on women’s health, fertility, menopause, mental wellbeing and the early detection of diseases.
Themed “The Wellness Code: Know Your Body; Own Your Health,” the forum featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, free medical screenings and interactive sessions on health misinformation and personal responsibility.
Delivering the keynote address, titled “The Misinformed Woman: Wellness in the Age of Social Media and AI,” Dr Noimot Abisola Balogun, a public health professional and health communications specialist, warned that the growing availability of online health information had also increased the risk of misinformation.
She said women were frequently exposed to unverified claims about skincare, fibroids, fertility and nutrition, sometimes from people without the qualifications or scientific evidence to support their advice.
“Anybody, especially somebody that is good with rhetoric, can come to say anything without verification, without understanding the evidence,” she said.
Balogun advised women to question and verify health information before acting on it. She urged them to check the qualifications of those providing the advice, examine the evidence behind their claims and determine whether the information was intended to promote a product.
She also cautioned against assuming that herbal or natural products were automatically safe, explaining that their effects could vary depending on an individual’s medical history, allergies and other health conditions.
The health communications specialist encouraged women to undergo appropriate medical checks and consult qualified healthcare professionals before using products recommended online.
During a panel session on hormonal changes, menopause, healthy ageing and self-care, Dr Fatimah Habeebu-Adeyemi, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, explained how declining ovarian hormone production during the years leading to menopause could contribute to night sweats, joint discomfort, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
She said menopause was generally confirmed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation and advised women experiencing persistent or unusual symptoms to seek medical assessment.
On fertility, Habeebu-Adeyemi urged couples experiencing difficulties conceiving to seek medical evaluation together rather than placing the responsibility solely on women.
“It takes two to tango. It’s not only the woman that goes for evaluation,” she said.
Another panellist, Dr Folasade Dolapo Haleemah Olalere, a fertility and reproductive medicine specialist, identified ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids, polyps and hormonal imbalances among possible causes of female infertility.
She also highlighted male-related factors, including low sperm count, poor sperm movement and abnormal sperm morphology, stressing that investigations should be tailored to each couple.
Kameelah Adebisi, a physiotherapist at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, discussed joint health and encouraged regular, appropriate physical activity to maintain mobility and general wellbeing.
The forum also examined the effects of stress, poor sleep, fatigue and competing family and work responsibilities on women’s health.
Dr Aminat Kehinde Bakare, a consultant neurologist and stroke physician at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, urged women to pay attention to their physical and mental wellbeing rather than neglecting their health while caring for others.
She recommended adequate rest, balanced meals, regular exercise, hydration and healthy boundaries.
Dr Kabirat Olabimpe Kilanse-Oni, a consultant psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, discussed stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and emotional exhaustion, noting their potential effects on mood, energy and daily activities.
Dr Bolanle Omowunmi Ottun, a clinical dietitian-nutritionist and critical care specialist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition and adequate hydration in managing fatigue and supporting general health.
Another panel examined metabolic health, preventive care and the early detection of conditions that may develop without obvious symptoms.
Dr Sakeenah Odunaye-Badmus, a consultant family physician at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, discussed the importance of recognising changes in the body and seeking appropriate medical assessment.
The discussions encouraged age-appropriate screening for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as breast and cervical cancer.
Participants were also advised to consider their family medical histories, attend follow-up appointments after experiencing hypertension during pregnancy and avoid stopping prescribed medication without consulting a healthcare professional.
Other specialists on the panel included Dr Khadijat Abosede Adabale, a consultant haematologist with the Lagos State Health Service Commission; Dr Aisha T. Abdulkareem, a public health physician and senior technical officer at FHI 360; and Dr Rasheeda Bolarinwa Oba, a consultant physician and rheumatologist at General Hospital, Lagos.
Lasbat Kabiawu-Mutiu, the 2026 lead public relations representative for Bountiis Charity Initiative, said funding, reaching potential participants and securing sponsorship remained challenges for the organisation.
She explained that support for the initiative included financial contributions, healthcare resources and professional services that helped make free medical screenings available to participants.
“The consistency is the goal,” she said, describing the organisation’s commitment to reaching more women with reliable health information and access to healthcare services.
Kabiawu-Mutiu also urged women not to depend solely on artificial intelligence tools or social media influencers for medical advice, encouraging them to seek proper diagnoses from qualified professionals.
“Your health matters, and it’s as important as any other thing that makes you,” she said.
Lateefat Fadahunsi Adelekan, popularly known as Dr Beans and founder of Tquarts Foods, said her organisation partnered with the initiative because of its interest in promoting women’s wellbeing through nutrition.
She encouraged women to eat balanced meals and include protein sources such as beans and other plant-based foods in their diets.
A participant, Faizah Idris, a pharmacist with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Yaba, Lagos, said the forum provided an opportunity for women to learn directly from medical specialists and receive answers to their health-related questions.
Idris, who attended for the first time, praised the organisers, volunteers and sponsors for making the programme accessible and providing a space for Muslim women to connect.
The experts spoke at the seventh Muslimah Health Forum, organised by Bountiis Charity Initiative at the Lagos State Central Mosque Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, on Saturday. The event focused on women’s health, fertility, menopause, mental wellbeing and the early detection of diseases.
Themed “The Wellness Code: Know Your Body; Own Your Health,” the forum featured keynote presentations, panel discussions, free medical screenings and interactive sessions on health misinformation and personal responsibility.
Delivering the keynote address, titled “The Misinformed Woman: Wellness in the Age of Social Media and AI,” Dr Noimot Abisola Balogun, a public health professional and health communications specialist, warned that the growing availability of online health information had also increased the risk of misinformation.
She said women were frequently exposed to unverified claims about skincare, fibroids, fertility and nutrition, sometimes from people without the qualifications or scientific evidence to support their advice.
“Anybody, especially somebody that is good with rhetoric, can come to say anything without verification, without understanding the evidence,” she said.
Balogun advised women to question and verify health information before acting on it. She urged them to check the qualifications of those providing the advice, examine the evidence behind their claims and determine whether the information was intended to promote a product.
She also cautioned against assuming that herbal or natural products were automatically safe, explaining that their effects could vary depending on an individual’s medical history, allergies and other health conditions.
The health communications specialist encouraged women to undergo appropriate medical checks and consult qualified healthcare professionals before using products recommended online.
During a panel session on hormonal changes, menopause, healthy ageing and self-care, Dr Fatimah Habeebu-Adeyemi, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, explained how declining ovarian hormone production during the years leading to menopause could contribute to night sweats, joint discomfort, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
She said menopause was generally confirmed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation and advised women experiencing persistent or unusual symptoms to seek medical assessment.
On fertility, Habeebu-Adeyemi urged couples experiencing difficulties conceiving to seek medical evaluation together rather than placing the responsibility solely on women.
“It takes two to tango. It’s not only the woman that goes for evaluation,” she said.
Another panellist, Dr Folasade Dolapo Haleemah Olalere, a fertility and reproductive medicine specialist, identified ovulation disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids, polyps and hormonal imbalances among possible causes of female infertility.
She also highlighted male-related factors, including low sperm count, poor sperm movement and abnormal sperm morphology, stressing that investigations should be tailored to each couple.
Kameelah Adebisi, a physiotherapist at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, discussed joint health and encouraged regular, appropriate physical activity to maintain mobility and general wellbeing.
The forum also examined the effects of stress, poor sleep, fatigue and competing family and work responsibilities on women’s health.
Dr Aminat Kehinde Bakare, a consultant neurologist and stroke physician at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, urged women to pay attention to their physical and mental wellbeing rather than neglecting their health while caring for others.
She recommended adequate rest, balanced meals, regular exercise, hydration and healthy boundaries.
Dr Kabirat Olabimpe Kilanse-Oni, a consultant psychiatrist at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, discussed stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and emotional exhaustion, noting their potential effects on mood, energy and daily activities.
Dr Bolanle Omowunmi Ottun, a clinical dietitian-nutritionist and critical care specialist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition and adequate hydration in managing fatigue and supporting general health.
Another panel examined metabolic health, preventive care and the early detection of conditions that may develop without obvious symptoms.
Dr Sakeenah Odunaye-Badmus, a consultant family physician at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, discussed the importance of recognising changes in the body and seeking appropriate medical assessment.
The discussions encouraged age-appropriate screening for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as breast and cervical cancer.
Participants were also advised to consider their family medical histories, attend follow-up appointments after experiencing hypertension during pregnancy and avoid stopping prescribed medication without consulting a healthcare professional.
Other specialists on the panel included Dr Khadijat Abosede Adabale, a consultant haematologist with the Lagos State Health Service Commission; Dr Aisha T. Abdulkareem, a public health physician and senior technical officer at FHI 360; and Dr Rasheeda Bolarinwa Oba, a consultant physician and rheumatologist at General Hospital, Lagos.
Lasbat Kabiawu-Mutiu, the 2026 lead public relations representative for Bountiis Charity Initiative, said funding, reaching potential participants and securing sponsorship remained challenges for the organisation.
She explained that support for the initiative included financial contributions, healthcare resources and professional services that helped make free medical screenings available to participants.
“The consistency is the goal,” she said, describing the organisation’s commitment to reaching more women with reliable health information and access to healthcare services.
Kabiawu-Mutiu also urged women not to depend solely on artificial intelligence tools or social media influencers for medical advice, encouraging them to seek proper diagnoses from qualified professionals.
“Your health matters, and it’s as important as any other thing that makes you,” she said.
Lateefat Fadahunsi Adelekan, popularly known as Dr Beans and founder of Tquarts Foods, said her organisation partnered with the initiative because of its interest in promoting women’s wellbeing through nutrition.
She encouraged women to eat balanced meals and include protein sources such as beans and other plant-based foods in their diets.
A participant, Faizah Idris, a pharmacist with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Yaba, Lagos, said the forum provided an opportunity for women to learn directly from medical specialists and receive answers to their health-related questions.
Idris, who attended for the first time, praised the organisers, volunteers and sponsors for making the programme accessible and providing a space for Muslim women to connect.