Lawyers Alert Welcomes First Reading of Benue TB Elimination, Human Rights Protection, Anti-discrimination Bill 2026

From Dooshima Terkura Makurdi

Lawyers Alert has welcomed the First Reading of the Benue State Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill, 2026, by the Benue State House of Assembly.

The organization said the bill, if enacted, would provide a legal framework for tackling tuberculosis while protecting people affected by the disease from stigma and discrimination.

The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly and member representing Mata State Constituency in Ushongo Local Government Area, Hon. Simon Gabo, passed its First Reading during plenary on September 24, 2026.

It was subsequently referred to the House Standing Committee on Health for further legislative consideration.

Lawyers Alert, in a statement signed by the President, Dr Rommy Mom and issued to newsmen in Makurdi, said the development followed sustained advocacy and consultations involving lawmakers, people affected by tuberculosis, TB survivors, health workers, civil society organisations and human rights groups.

The organisation noted that while tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge, its impact extends beyond the medical sphere, with affected persons sometimes facing discrimination in employment, education, healthcare and their communities.

It said stigma and discrimination could discourage people from seeking early diagnosis and treatment, affect treatment adherence and increase social and economic exclusion.

Gabo, while explaining the rationale behind the bill, said legislation was needed to ensure that people living with or affected by TB were protected from discrimination while being encouraged to seek testing and treatment.

“The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that Benue State has a strong legal framework that supports the elimination of tuberculosis while protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of people affected by TB.

“No person should lose employment, education, healthcare, livelihood or community acceptance simply because they have tuberculosis,” he said.
Gabo added that lawmakers had a responsibility to support public health interventions with laws capable of protecting citizens and confronting stigma and discrimination.

Mom, commended Gabo and the House of Assembly for advancing the bill.

Mom said the First Reading was significant because it could contribute to removing human rights barriers that prevent people from seeking and remaining in TB care.

“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.

Mom also commended the Assembly for a legislative process that has involved consultations with people affected by TB and organisations working with affected communities.

According to Lawyers Alert, the Benue initiative complements efforts at the national level to establish a comprehensive legal framework for TB elimination and protection of the rights of people affected by the disease.

The organisation said it had been providing advocacy and technical support to the legislative process around proposed TB rights legislation at the federal level.

Mom said complementary legislation at the federal and state levels could strengthen efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in Nigeria.

Lawyers Alert urged lawmakers, 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.