PRESS STATEMENT: Lawyers Alert Congratulates Benue State House of Assembly on Passage of Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill, 2026

Makurdi, Benue State | 12 October 2026

Lawyers Alert congratulates the Benue State House of Assembly on the passage of the Tuberculosis Elimination, Human Rights Protection and Anti-Discrimination Bill of Benue State, 2026. This landmark legislative development represents a significant step towards protecting the dignity and fundamental rights of persons affected by tuberculosis (TB), combating stigma and discrimination, and strengthening a rights-based approach to public health in the state.

The importance of this legislation is underscored by the continuing tuberculosis burden in Benue State. According to reports, Benue recorded 10,674 TB cases in 2025, compared with 10,618 cases in 2024. These figures highlight the scale of the public health challenge and the need for sustained interventions that combine early diagnosis, accessible treatment, public awareness and enforceable protections for people affected by the disease.

Beyond its medical implications, tuberculosis can expose affected persons to stigma, discrimination, social exclusion and economic hardship. Fear of being labelled or treated unfairly may discourage individuals from seeking diagnosis, accessing healthcare or adhering to treatment. These barriers can undermine public health interventions and make tuberculosis elimination more difficult. The passage of this bill is therefore important because it offers a legal framework for addressing discrimination while promoting dignity, equality and access to healthcare for persons affected by TB.

Commenting on the significance of the legislation, the President of Lawyers Alert, Dr Rommy Mom, said: “Ending tuberculosis requires more than effective medicines and diagnostic services. It also requires legal protections that remove the barriers of stigma and discrimination that prevent people from seeking or continuing treatment. No one should lose their dignity, access to healthcare or opportunities because of their TB status. We commend the Benue State House of Assembly for passing this legislation and urge the Governor to assent to the bill so that these protections can become a reality for people affected by tuberculosis across the state.”

Lawyers Alert commends the leadership and members of the Benue State House of Assembly for advancing legislation that connects public health objectives with the protection of human rights. The bill presents an opportunity to strengthen accountability, promote equitable access to health services and ensure that persons affected by tuberculosis can seek care without fear of discrimination or exclusion.

We emphasise that eliminating tuberculosis requires more than medical interventions. It demands sustained political commitment, adequate resources, accurate public information, community participation, and effective protection against discriminatory practices. The proposed law can help advance these priorities by establishing a framework for protecting the rights and welfare of affected persons and promoting a more inclusive public health response across Benue State.

Lawyers Alert expresses its strong hope that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, will grant assent to the bill, completing the legislative process and paving the way for its implementation. The Governor’s assent would demonstrate the state’s commitment to eliminating tuberculosis, safeguarding fundamental rights and ensuring that no person is denied dignity, healthcare or equal opportunities because of their TB status.

Following assent, Lawyers Alert calls for an effective implementation framework supported by adequate budgetary allocation, public sensitisation, capacity-building for healthcare providers, accessible complaint and redress mechanisms, and collaboration among relevant ministries, healthcare institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and affected communities. Particular attention should be given to ensuring that vulnerable and underserved populations understand their rights, can report violations safely and have access to appropriate remedies.

Lawyers Alert remains committed to advancing human rights, access to justice, public health equity and accountability through legal advocacy, public education and constructive engagement with government and other stakeholders. We look forward to the Governor’s assent and the effective implementation of this legislation as a meaningful step towards a healthier, more inclusive and rights-respecting Benue State.