Firm Strengthens Sickle Cell Support With Free Medication For 200 Beneficiaries

Dufil Prima Foods, has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of life of Nigerians living with Sickle Cell Disorder by providing free essential medication to 200 beneficiaries in Lagos.

The intervention was delivered under the company’s decade-long partnership with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN) through its ‘Hope Begins with Care’ initiative held at the SCFN centre in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Group corporate communications and events manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Temitope Ashiwaju, described the partnership as a strategic commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.

He stressed that beyond medication, advocacy and public awareness remain critical in the fight against the disorder.

“More than what we are doing today, I’d like to also let you know that when it comes to advocacy, when it comes to awareness, it should start from you,” Ashiwaju said.

He urged beneficiaries and stakeholders to deepen public understanding of Sickle Cell Disorder, and highlighted the importance of genotype awareness and compatibility, particularly among young Nigerians making decisions about marriage and family life.

For the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, the high cost of managing the condition continues to push families into poverty.

The senior manager, SCFN, Caleb Audu, said treatment is expensive and often forces families to make difficult sacrifices.

“People with sickle cell disorder fight unseen battles. Sickle cell management is very expensive. People sell their properties, they lose their jobs, they lose their means of livelihood,” Audu said.

He disclosed that Dufil committed millions of naira towards procuring the medications, noting that the support would provide much-needed relief to beneficiaries and their families.

One of the beneficiaries, 16-year-old Farida Adedeji, who was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disorder at age two, commended Dufil for its continued support, describing the intervention as timely and impactful.

Other beneficiaries also expressed appreciation, noting that reduced medication costs would allow families to channel scarce resources towards other essentials such as food, education, rent and clothing.

Now in its tenth year, the Dufil-SCFN partnership continues to deliver practical support through medication, healthcare and public awareness.

The collaboration builds on previous interventions including the 2025 Makoko Community Sickle Cell Outreach Programme, which provided healthcare services, genotype awareness, health education and training for primary healthcare workers.

Through sustained collaboration, Dufil Prima Foods and SCFN said they remain committed to easing the burden of Sickle Cell Disorder while promoting informed health choices, resilience and hope among affected Nigerians.