The Benue State House of Assembly has passed into law a landmark legislation aimed at eliminating tuberculosis (TB) and protecting persons affected by the disease from discrimination and human-rights violations.
The legislation, known as the Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Law of Benue State, 2026, was passed during Thursday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, following consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Matthew Damkor, Ph.D., said the legislation was necessary to provide a comprehensive legal framework for tuberculosis prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and control across the state. The law also seeks to safeguard the rights of persons affected by TB, including their rights to dignity, healthcare, privacy, information, employment, education and social protection.
In its report, the committee identified several areas of the original bill that required amendment, particularly provisions relating to federal laws and institutions, implementation responsibilities, screening and isolation, enforcement mechanisms, offences and penalties. It recommended the removal of provisions purporting to amend federal legislation, such as the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, noting that such amendments were inappropriate for a state legislation. It also recommended that references to federal institutions as implementing authorities be replaced with relevant Benue State institutions, while allowing for lawful collaboration with federal authorities.
The committee further recommended that the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, through the Ministry of Health and relevant state agencies, be clearly designated to coordinate the implementation of the law. On the protection of fundamental rights, the House called for clearer safeguards in provisions dealing with TB screening, isolation and restriction of movement, including informed consent, confidentiality, medical necessity, proportionality and the use of the least restrictive measures. It also recommended the establishment of an accessible mechanism for receiving complaints, addressing discrimination and providing remedies to persons whose rights may have been violated under the law. The House further urged relevant agencies to ensure that offences and penalties under the legislation are clearly defined, proportionate and enforceable.
After considering and adopting the committee’s recommendations clause-by-clause, the bill was read for the third time and subsequently passed into law by the Speaker following a unanimous consideration and adoption by members. The Tuberculosis Law, which was sponsored by Hon. Dr. Simon Gabo of Mata State Constituency and others, is expected to strengthen Benue State’s response to tuberculosis and provide a stronger legal framework for protecting persons affected by the disease from stigmatization, discrimination and other rights violations.
