Gladness Gideon
Nigerian Afrobeats artist and humanitarian Adekunle Gold has announced the launch of 5 Star Care, a groundbreaking health insurance initiative offering free coverage to 1,000 people living with sickle cell disease in Lagos State.
In an emotional video released on Instagram in honour of World Sickle Cell Day, Adekunle Gold, also known by his birth name Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko, shared that the initiative is deeply personal and rooted in his own lifelong battle with sickle cell disease.
Explaining the project’s details, the premium Times reports that 5 Star Care isn’t just an initiative — it’s a promise to ensure “sickle cell warriors are seen, heard, and cared for.”
The singer confirmed that the pilot targets 1,000 individuals in Lagos, and pledged that “this is only the beginning”.
Adekunle Gold has long been vocal about his condition. His 2022 single “5 Star” featured candid revelations of his struggles, earning both praise and criticism online — but ultimately raising public awareness. He stated that while advocating publicly exposed him to bullying, it also motivated him to bring attention to the disease.
The Adekunle Gold Foundation, which spearheads this project, has previously engaged in outreach, providing medical support to hundreds of patients in Lagos.
The new health insurance program builds on these efforts by offering sustained, structured care rather than one-off interventions.
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The program comes amid broader calls for improved healthcare support for Nigerians living with sickle cell disease, a condition that affects millions nationwide.
Adekunle Gold emphasized the need for policy-level interventions, citing the lack of comprehensive protocols for sickle cell in countries like Nigeria compared to countries like the UK and Canada.
Supporters have described the initiative as life-changing. The Premium Times quoted the singer’s message on holding space for sickle cell warriors: “We’re starting small by providing free health insurance to 1,000 people living with sickle cell in Lagos State. But this is only the beginning.”
Through 5 Star Care, Adekunle Gold hopes to offer not just treatment options, but also dignity and long-term care for individuals living with sickle cell. The pilot program serves as a blueprint for broader regional expansion.