Adekunle Gold Launches Free Health Insurance For 1,000 Sickle Cell Warriors In Nigeria.
Nigerian Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to support individuals living with sickle cell disease, marking a significant milestone in his advocacy for the condition. On World Sickle Cell Day, 19 June 2025, the award-winning singer, through his Adekunle Gold Foundation, launched the ‘5 Star Care’ programme, which will provide free, comprehensive health insurance to 1,000 sickle cell patients in Lagos State.
The initiative, announced via a heartfelt Instagram post, is a deeply personal endeavour for the 37-year-old artist, born Adekunle Kosoko, who has openly shared his own struggles with sickle cell disease. Partnering with the Lagos State Health Scheme Management (LASHMA), Sickle Cell Management Initiatives (SAMI), and the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the programme aims to alleviate the financial burden of managing the condition. Beneficiaries will gain access to routine medical care, emergency treatment, and specialist consultations, ensuring comprehensive support for those affected.
“5 Star Care isn’t just an initiative; it’s a promise,” Adekunle Gold declared. “A promise to make sure that sickle cell warriors are seen, heard, and cared for. We’re starting small by providing free health insurance to 1,000 people in Lagos State, but this is only the beginning.” The singer, whose 2022 hit song ‘5 Star’ reflects his personal battle with the disease, expressed his ambition to expand the programme nationwide and beyond, stating, “Our goal is to reach as many warriors as possible.”
Sickle cell disease, a hereditary blood disorder causing severe pain and life-threatening complications, affects an estimated 150,000 newborns annually in Nigeria, which bears the highest global burden of the condition. Approximately 75% of the world’s eight million cases are found in Africa, with Nigeria accounting for the majority. The ‘5 Star Care’ initiative addresses critical barriers to care, such as the high cost of treatment and limited access to healthcare facilities, which Adekunle Gold has described as a significant challenge. “People can’t afford basic things like folic acid,” he noted in a previous CNN interview, highlighting the urgent need for accessible care.
In addition to the health insurance scheme, the Adekunle Gold Foundation is collaborating with researchers from New York University (NYU) to explore the psychological and social impacts of sickle cell disease. The study will investigate how creative outlets, such as music and storytelling, can complement medical care and raise awareness, further amplifying the foundation’s mission to improve the lives of those affected.
The announcement has sparked widespread praise on social media, with fans and supporters lauding Adekunle Gold’s commitment to using his platform for social good. One X user wrote, “This is what using your influence for change looks like,” while another commented, “Adekunle Gold is giving hope to sickle cell warriors!”
The ‘5 Star Care’ programme builds on the foundation’s ongoing efforts to support Nigeria’s sickle cell community, following Adekunle Gold’s public disclosure of his condition in 2022. In a moving newsletter to fans, he shared how the disease shaped his childhood, marked by pain, restrictions, and social stigma, yet inspired his resilience. “Sickle cell gave me hope, made me tough, and built my character,” he wrote, encouraging others to pursue their dreams despite the challenges.
As Nigeria grapples with the high prevalence of sickle cell disease, initiatives like ‘5 Star Care’ offer a beacon of hope. Interested individuals can apply through the Adekunle Gold Foundation’s website, with the programme poised to make a tangible difference in the lives of 1,000 sickle cell warriors. With plans for future expansion and continued advocacy, Adekunle Gold is proving that every life deserves “5-star care.”
