Nigeria has taken a significant step toward addressing the stigma and discrimination faced by persons affected by Tuberculosis with the submission of a Bill to the National Assembly to Strengthen TB Legal Protections.
The Bill aims to safeguard the rights of persons affected by TB (PATBs) and ensure access to remedies, including management.
It was presented to the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Malaria Control (ATM Committee) by Dr. Rommy Mom, the National Consultant on the project.
The Bill’s submission followed years of rigorous advocacy and legal assessments, beginning in 2018 with a Legal Environment Assessment conducted by Prof. Brian Citro and Dr. Mom.
This assessment, supported by the Challenge Facility for Civil Society Grant Mechanism of the Stop TB Partnership, revealed critical gaps in Nigeria’s legal framework.
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These gaps have contributed to the stigma surrounding TB and created barriers to case finding, diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare.
In response to these findings, key stakeholders, including civil society organisations, government agencies, and affected communities, engaged in a series of consultations to refine the Bill.
These collaborative efforts culminated in a National Parliamentary Retreat held in Lagos in November 2024.
During the retreat, parliamentarians, Federal Ministry of Health, National TB Programme, Global Fund, PATBs, CSOs, and media representatives provided valuable input to strengthen the legislation.
With the Bill now before the National Assembly, the legislative process will continue with further consultative engagements and a public hearing before its eventual passage.
If enacted, the law will provide critical legal protections for PATBs, ensuring that they are not subjected to discrimination, while also improving access to essential healthcare services.
The development of this Bill has been made possible through the support of the Challenge Facility for Civil Society Grant of the Stop TB Partnership, Global TB Caucus, and The Global Fund Nigeria.
The facilitation of the process has been led by Lawyers Alert Nigeria, a key player in advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations.
Stakeholders remain optimistic that this legislative milestone will mark the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s TB response, where legal frameworks actively support the eradication of stigma and promote equitable healthcare access for all affected persons.
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