The Adekunle Gold Foundation has provided medical support to over 400 individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease during its latest outreach programme in Lagos.
The quarterly initiative, held in partnership with the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative, delivered a wide range of healthcare services aimed at improving the quality of life for patients.
Beneficiaries received specialist consultations, laboratory tests, and essential treatments, including blood transfusions for severe anaemia cases. The programme also covered pain management, crisis care, physiotherapy, and the distribution of medications.
Organisers noted that patients were given prescription drugs and supplies expected to last up to three months, helping to ease the financial burden of ongoing treatment.
Sickle cell disease remains one of the most prevalent genetic conditions globally, with Nigeria carrying the highest burden. Millions of Nigerians live with the disorder, and thousands of children are born with it each year, despite limited global attention and funding.
The foundation was established by Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold, who has lived with the condition since childhood and has consistently advocated for improved awareness and healthcare access.
Speaking on the initiative, the singer highlighted the daily realities faced by patients, noting that the condition goes beyond physical pain to include the high cost of consistent medical care. He said the foundation aims to make treatment more accessible and enable patients to lead healthier lives.
Beyond outreach programmes, the organisation is also investing in long-term solutions. In 2025, it launched the “5 Star Care” initiative, which provided free health insurance coverage to 1,000 people living with sickle cell disease. The scheme was implemented in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Health Management Agency, ensuring beneficiaries could access sustained care within the public health system.
The foundation is further expanding its impact through international collaboration, working with researchers at the New York University Department of Global Health to explore new treatment approaches and improve patient outcomes.
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