Nigeria’s National Assembly Passes Landmark TB Rights Bill to Protect Patients, End Discrimination

By Praise Chinecherem

Nigeria’s National Assembly has passed the Tuberculosis (TB) Rights Bill, a landmark legislative development aimed at protecting the rights of people affected by tuberculosis (TB), improving access to treatment and ending stigma and discrimination associated with the disease.

The National Coordinator of the Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria (TB Network), Olayide Akanni, described the passage of the Bill as a major victory for public health, human rights and the fight against tuberculosis in Nigeria.

Akanni said the legislation, sponsored by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Infectious Diseases, Hon. Amobi Ogah, would strengthen protections for people affected by TB while promoting access to quality treatment and care.

According to her, the Bill represents an important step towards ensuring that people living with or affected by tuberculosis are treated with dignity and protected against discrimination.

She said, “The passage of the TB Rights Bill is a major victory for public health and human rights in Nigeria. It reinforces the need to protect the dignity of people affected by tuberculosis and ensure that no one is denied access to treatment, care or other opportunities because of their TB status.”

The TB Network Coordinator acknowledged the contributions of the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme, Lawyers Alert, Stop TB Partnership, TB-affected communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders whose advocacy and engagements contributed to the passage of the legislation.

She particularly commended Lawyers Alert for providing legal and technical support, facilitating stakeholder engagements and championing a human rights-based approach throughout the legislative process.

Akanni also applauded Hon. Ogah for sponsoring the Bill and the National Assembly for its legislative commitment to addressing the challenges confronting people affected by tuberculosis.

She described the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis and build a society where affected persons can access healthcare without fear of stigma, discrimination or exclusion.

However, she stressed that the passage of the legislation must be followed by effective implementation to ensure that its provisions translate into tangible benefits for affected communities.

She called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals, development partners and TB-affected communities to guarantee the successful implementation of the law.

Akanni noted that collective action would be essential to strengthening access to treatment, protecting patients’ rights and advancing Nigeria’s goal of eliminating tuberculosis.

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