- his health condition at about five or seven years old
- the importance of genotype testing before marriage
- both of his parents were carriers of the sickle cell trait
Nigerian Afrobeats star, Adekunle Gold, has revealed that he continues to manage sickle cell disease, a condition he was diagnosed with as a child.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that speaking on the RealTalk podcast, the “Coco Money” crooner recalled discovering his health condition at about five or seven years old after being rushed to the hospital during a painful episode.
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“The first time I realised something was wrong was one night when I fell seriously ill. My dad wasn’t home, and my mum carried me on her back and walked a long distance to the hospital,” he recounted.
Adekunle explained that both of his parents were carriers of the sickle cell trait and unknowingly passed it on to him. “Unfortunately, my parents were both sickle cell carriers, and that’s how I got it. I used to fall sick a lot, with severe pain in my joints, legs, and sometimes my stomach — that’s what we call a crisis,” he said.
He noted that he has been on lifelong medication since childhood, taking folic acid and vitamin B complex as prescribed. “The doctor told me I’d have to take those for life, and I still do,” he added.
Although he still experiences occasional crises, the singer said they have become less severe due to better self-care and improved access to healthcare.
Adekunle also emphasized the importance of genotype testing before marriage and called on health organisations to intensify awareness about sickle cell disease in Nigeria.
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