Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, has opened up about his lifelong struggle with sickle cell disease, revealing that he still experiences health crises despite years of managing the condition.
In a recent interview with Nandoleaks, the 38-year-old musician spoke candidly about living with the inherited blood disorder and how it has shaped his life since childhood.
I still have crises, he said, recalling how his battle began when he was a young boy. The first time I heard about sickle cell was when I used to fall sick all the time my joints would hurt, my legs, sometimes my stomach.
One night, my dad wasn’t home, and my mum carried me on her back for miles to the hospital. That was when the doctor told us I had sickle cell and would have to take folic acid and B complex for the rest of my life. That’s been my reality even till now.
Adekunle Gold, who has never shied away from speaking about his health, also used the opportunity to raise awareness about genotype compatibility in relationships. He urged Nigerians to take genotype testing seriously before marriage to prevent future generations from suffering.
Sickle cell is most common in Nigeria. It happens when someone with SS marries another SS. That’s why knowing your genotype is so important so you don’t bring more children into the world to suffer,” he said.
Despite the painful episodes that come with the condition, the award-winning singer said he has learned to better manage his health and live a full life.
I still have crises once in a while, but not as bad as when I was a child. Maybe because I’ve found a way to take care of myself properly. I’m grateful to God for the resources to be able to do that, he added.
Adekunle Gold’s openness has drawn praise from fans who admire his resilience and honesty about living with a condition that affects millions in Nigeria.
