The House of Representatives has commenced moves to strengthen the rights and dignity of people living with and affected by Tuberculosis (TB), as stakeholders called for the passage of a comprehensive rights-based TB law.

The House Committee on Infectious Diseases held a one-day public hearing at the National Assembly, Abuja, to consider key bills aimed at improving Nigeria’s response to infectious diseases, including the proposed Tuberculosis Rights Bill.

The hearing, chaired by Hon. Mark Esset on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, brought together lawmakers, government agencies, civil society organisations, health experts, TB survivors, affected communities, development partners and members of the public.

The Bill seeks to prevent TB-related discrimination and protect the fundamental human rights and dignity of persons living with or affected by TB.

In his welcome address, Esset said the hearing was designed to allow stakeholders to examine the strengths and gaps in the proposed legislation before its consideration.

He described the Bill as a critical intervention that would help Nigerians affected by TB overcome discrimination, stigma and exclusion.

According to him, Nigeria has for years faced a legal gap in protecting the rights of persons affected by TB, a situation that has contributed to delayed testing, poor diagnosis and inadequate protection.

He assured stakeholders that the Committee was ready to work with them to address grey areas and produce a law capable of standing the test of time.

Stakeholders at the hearing described the Bill as a major opportunity to move Nigeria’s TB response from a disease-focused approach to a people-centred and rights-based framework.

They noted that TB stigma and discrimination remain major barriers to early diagnosis, treatment adherence, workplace retention, school participation, family support and community reintegration.

Government representatives supported the proposed legislation but urged amendments to improve its scope and implementation.

In a memorandum submitted on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), stakeholders noted that stigma is not merely a social challenge but a major factor driving late presentation, poor treatment outcomes, poverty and continued transmission.

They recommended stronger provisions on confidentiality, informed consent, reasonable accommodation, access to justice and enforceable remedies.

The Ministry also called for the expansion of the Bill beyond TB to cover persons affected by Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer, noting that the diseases share common challenges of stigma, exclusion, disability and discrimination.

Human rights organisation, Lawyers Alert, urged the National Assembly to strengthen the Bill as a comprehensive human rights instrument.

The organisation said TB should not be treated only as a public health issue but also as a matter of rights, pointing out that forced disclosure, workplace discrimination, school exclusion, denial of healthcare and loss of livelihood discourage people from seeking diagnosis and completing treatment.

Lawyers Alert called for safeguards to ensure that any restriction of liberty, including involuntary isolation or hospitalisation, must be exceptional, evidence-based, medically justified, time-bound and subject to judicial oversight.

It stressed that isolation must never be used as punishment, a tool for discrimination, immigration control, homelessness management or institutional convenience.

The group further recommended stronger accountability measures, including independent oversight, access to legal aid, victim support, court remedies and representative actions by civil society organisations.

The Stop TB Partnership Nigeria also urged lawmakers to place communities, affected persons and sustainable funding at the centre of the proposed law.

The organisation noted that TB exists beyond hospitals, affecting homes, workplaces, schools, markets, transport systems, correctional facilities and rural communities.

It called for formal recognition of TB survivors, civil society groups and community organisations as partners in case finding, treatment support, stigma reduction and accountability.

The Partnership also stressed the need for social protection measures, including nutrition support, transport assistance, health insurance linkages and livelihood support, noting that indirect costs often affect treatment completion despite free TB medicines.

Other stakeholders, including the TB Network and Debriche Health Development Centre (DHDC), called for protection of vulnerable groups and stronger community-led monitoring mechanisms.

The hearing ended with stakeholders urging the National Assembly to pass a law that protects rights, improves public health outcomes and ensures that no person affected by TB is subjected to stigma or discrimination.