Health
Dufil supports 200 sickle cell patients with medication
By Arinze Nwafor
Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie noodles, has supported 200 people living with Sickle Cell Disorder with free essential medication as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.
The intervention, delivered as part of the company’s decade-long partnership with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, took place during an outreach organised at the foundation’s facility in Lagos under the ‘Hope Begins with Care’ initiative.
The company said the intervention aimed to reduce the medical and financial burden of managing the lifelong condition while improving the quality of life of affected Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, the Group Corporate Communications and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Temitope Ashiwaju, described the partnership as a strategic commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.
He also stressed the need for sustained advocacy and public awareness about sickle cell 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 other stakeholders to play a greater role in educating the public about the condition.
Ashiwaju also highlighted the importance of genotype awareness and compatibility, particularly among young Nigerians making decisions about marriage and family life.
Speaking on the intervention, the Senior Manager, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Caleb Audu, said the cost of managing the disorder placed significant financial pressure on affected families.
“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, adding that the support will provide relief for beneficiaries and their families.
One of the beneficiaries, 16-year-old Farida Adedeji, who was diagnosed with sickle cell disorder at two, praised the company for its sustained support, describing the intervention as timely and meaningful.
Other beneficiaries said the reduction in medication expenses will enable their families to redirect scarce resources to necessities including food, education, rent and clothing.
The partnership between Dufil and the foundation has now entered its 10th year, with both organisations providing medication, healthcare support and public awareness programmes for people living with the disorder.
The partnership also builds on the 2025 Makoko Community Sickle Cell Outreach Programme, which provided healthcare services, genotype awareness, health education and training for primary healthcare workers.
Dufil Prima Foods said its continued collaboration with the foundation will help ease the burden of sickle cell disorder while promoting informed health choices and resilience among affected Nigerians.
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