Follow Us on Google
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of a bill seeking to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) while protecting the rights of people affected by the disease from discrimination and stigma.
The Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill, 2026, sponsored by Hon. Simon Gabo, Deputy Chief Whip and member representing Mata State Constituency in Ushongo Local Government Area, passed its First Reading during plenary on September 24, 2026.
The bill was subsequently referred to the House Standing Committee on Health for further legislative consideration.
Lawyers Alert, which has been involved in advocacy for rights-based TB legislation, has welcomed the development, describing it as an important step towards addressing tuberculosis as both a public health and human rights concern.
President of Lawyers Alert, Dr Rommy Mom, said the proposed legislation was the outcome of sustained consultations and advocacy involving lawmakers, people affected by TB, survivors, health stakeholders, civil society organisations and human rights groups.
He said people affected by tuberculosis often face stigma and discrimination in areas including employment, education, healthcare and their communities adding that such discrimination could discourage people from seeking early diagnosis and treatment, affect adherence to treatment and worsen social and economic exclusion.
Gabo, had stated that the bill was intended to provide Benue with a legal framework that would support TB elimination while protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of affected persons. According to him, no person should lose employment, education, healthcare, livelihood or community acceptance simply because they have tuberculosis.”
Mom, commended Gabo and the state Assembly for advancing the proposed legislation saying eliminating TB would require not only medicines, diagnostic services and stronger health systems, but also laws capable of addressing human rights barriers that prevent people from accessing and remaining in care.
He said “This First Reading is significant because it brings us closer to a Benue State where a diagnosis of tuberculosis does not translate into stigma, exclusion or loss of dignity.
“Ending TB requires medicines, diagnostics and strong health systems, but it also requires law, justice and the removal of the human rights barriers that prevent people from seeking and remaining in care,” he said.
He also commended the Assembly for a legislative process that has included consultations with people affected by TB and organizations working with affected communities and urged the members, government ministries and agencies, traditional and community leaders, healthcare workers, civil society organisations, development partners and people affected by TB to remain engaged as the bill progresses through subsequent legislative stages.
