By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
Lawyers Alert on Sunday applauded the Benue State House of Assembly for taken a step towards protecting people affected by tuberculosis (TB) from discrimination and stigma with the first reading of a bill seeking to establish a legal framework for TB elimination and human rights protection in the state.
The Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill, 2026, sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip and member representing Mata State Constituency in Ushongo Local Government Area, Hon. Simon Gabo, was read for the first time during plenary on September 24.
The bill has subsequently been 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, described the development as a significant step towards addressing the human rights barriers faced by people affected by the disease.
President of Lawyers Alert, Dr Rommy Mom, said TB should not be treated solely as a medical challenge, noting that affected persons often face stigma and discrimination in workplaces, schools, healthcare facilities and their communities.
According to him, such discrimination could discourage people from seeking early diagnosis and treatment, affect treatment adherence and worsen the social and economic exclusion of TB patients and survivors.
Earlier Gabo, while explaining the rationale for the proposed legislation, said the bill would provide Benue with a legal framework to support TB elimination while protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of affected persons.
“No person should lose employment, education, healthcare, livelihood or community acceptance simply because they have tuberculosis,” he said.
The president of Lawyer Alert however, commended Gabo and the Assembly, saying the first reading brought the state closer to a situation where a TB diagnosis would not result in stigma, exclusion or loss of dignity.
Mom said ending TB would require not only medicines, diagnostics and stronger health systems, but also laws capable of removing human rights barriers that prevent people from accessing and remaining in care.
He also commended the Assembly for a legislative process informed by consultations involving people affected by TB, survivors, health stakeholders, civil society and human rights organisations.
Lawyers Alert said the proposed Benue legislation also complements ongoing efforts at the federal level to establish a comprehensive legal framework for TB elimination and protection of the rights of people affected by the disease.
The organisation urged lawmakers, government ministries and agencies, traditional and community leaders, healthcare workers, civil society organisations, development partners and TB-affected communities to sustain engagement as the bill progresses through subsequent legislative stages.
