Adekunle Gold Foundation provides critical medical support to hundreds living with Sickle Cell Disease
The Adekunle Gold Foundation has continued its commitment to improving the lives of people living with sickle cell disease, successfully hosting its quarterly medical outreach in Lagos in partnership with the Sickle Cell Advocacy & Management Initiative (SAMI).
The outreach, held on March 14, provided essential healthcare services to more than 400 individuals living with sickle cell disease, offering much-needed medical support to patients managing the lifelong condition.
Beneficiaries received a wide range of specialised healthcare interventions, including medical consultations, laboratory tests, blood transfusions for patients with severe anaemia, pain management and crisis care, physiotherapy services, and access to vital medications.
In addition, patients were provided with prescription drugs and treatment supplies to support their healthcare needs for up to 3 months.
Sickle cell disease remains one of the world’s most prevalent genetic disorders, yet it continues to receive limited global attention and funding. Nigeria bears the highest burden of the disease worldwide, with millions of people affected and thousands of children born with the condition each year.
Founded by award-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter Adekunle Gold, who has lived with sickle cell disease since childhood, the foundation was established to raise awareness, improve access to quality healthcare, and support research to develop better treatment options.
Reflecting on the mission behind the initiative, Adekunle Gold said living with sickle cell disease has given him firsthand insight into the daily realities faced by patients.
“Living with sickle cell disease is something I understand personally. It’s not just the physical pain; it’s the constant need for medical care and support that many people cannot afford. Through the foundation, we want to ensure that more people living with sickle cell disease have access to the care they need to live full and healthy lives,” he said.
Beyond its medical outreach programmes, the foundation is also focused on expanding long-term access to healthcare for patients. In 2025, it launched the 5 Star Care Initiative, which provided free health insurance coverage for 1,000 individuals living with sickle cell disease. The programme was implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Health Management Agency, helping beneficiaries gain sustainable access to healthcare services within the state.
The foundation has also expanded its impact internationally through a collaboration with researchers at New York University’s Department of Global Health. The partnership focuses on exploring innovative interventions and solutions to improve treatment outcomes and enhance the quality of life for people living with sickle cell disease.
Through medical outreach programmes, healthcare access initiatives, and global research partnerships, the Adekunle Gold Foundation continues to shine a light on a condition that affects millions while delivering meaningful support to those living with it.
While Adekunle Gold is widely recognised for his successful music career, his advocacy work underscores a deeply personal dedication to creating a better future for people affected by sickle cell disease.
