Group Commends Passage Of TB Rights Bill Into Law

A group, Lawyers Alert, has commended the passage of the Tuberculosis Rights Bill into law by the National Assembly.

The bill, awaiting presidential assent, was sponsored by the chairman of the House Committee on Infectious Diseases, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah.

It is aimed at preventing tuberculosis (TB)-based discrimination and protecting the fundamental human rights and dignity of people affected by tuberculosis.

A statement yesterday by the president of Lawyers Alert, Dr Rommy Mom, said the passage of the bill on Thursday represents a significant milestone for human rights, public health and social justice in Nigeria.

‎Rom said, for too long, persons affected by TB have experienced discrimination, social exclusion, breaches of confidentiality, loss of livelihood and rejection within families and communities.

He added that these violations do not only undermine their fundamental rights but also create barriers to early diagnosis, treatment adherence and effective TB control, adding that the passage of the bill shows that ending tuberculosis does not only require medical interventions but also laws and institutions that protect the rights and dignity of affected persons.

‎The group said, they were particularly proud to have worked with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), TB communities, civil society organisations and development partners in advancing the legislative achievement through sustained advocacy, legal and technical support and engagement with lawmakers.

‎”Our advocacy has been informed by evidence of human rights violations associated with TB documented through our documentation tool, LADOC-T and through community-led documentation initiatives like the OneImpact CLM. These experiences highlighted the urgent need for enforceable legal protections against stigma, discrimination, breaches of confidentiality and other violations affecting persons with TB.

“‎This achievement is the product of collective commitment, sustained advocacy and strategic partnerships,” the statement said.

They also commended Hon Ogah, the National Assembly, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Global TB Caucus, NTBLCP and a group, Stop TB Partnership, for their contributions to the development and passage of the bill.

‎”Above all, we celebrate the courage and resilience of persons affected by TB whose lived experiences and persistent advocacy have demonstrated why legal protection is indispensable,” the statement added.

The group called for the prompt presidential assent to the TB Anti-Discrimination Bill (National TB Rights Bill) and gubernatorial assent to the Benue State Tuberculosis (TB) Anti-Stigma Bill, to pave the way for their effective implementation and enforcement.