Nigerian music star Adekunle Gold has opened up about his continuous struggle with sickle cell disease, revealing that he still experiences health crises despite years of treatment and management.
In a recent interview shared on social media, the Orente crooner spoke candidly about living with the condition since childhood and the lifelong impact it has had on his health.
“I still have crises,” the 38-year-old said, recounting his early experience with the disease. “The first time I knew I had sickle cell was when I fell seriously ill as a child. My mum had to carry me on her back and walk miles to the hospital. That was when the doctor explained everything and told me I’d have to take folic acid and B complex for life.”
Adekunle Gold disclosed that he has been on medication since he was five years old, adding that the pain from sickle cell crises, often affecting the joints, legs, and stomach, can be overwhelming.
While expressing gratitude for better health management as an adult, the singer said the experience inspired his advocacy for genotype awareness and stronger institutional action against sickle cell disease.
“My vision is to make more noise about it because many people still don’t know much about sickle cell, and not enough is being done,” he noted. “Knowing your genotype is very important so that two people with the same SS gene don’t bring more children into the world to face this pain.”
Adekunle Gold emphasized that the condition is prevalent in Nigeria and urged individuals and couples to undergo genotype testing before marriage.
The multi-award-winning artist continues to use his platform to raise awareness about the condition while showing that people living with sickle cell can still lead successful and fulfilling lives with proper care and lifestyle management.
About the Author
