The Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah, has sponsored a bill seeking to protect persons living with and affected by Tuberculosis (TB) from discrimination while safeguarding their fundamental human rights and dignity.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Make Provision for the Prevention of TB-Based Discrimination and Protect the Fundamental Human Rights and Dignity of People Living With and Affected by TB and for Related Matters, 2025 (HB. 2298),” has been presented before the House of Representatives for second reading.
Presenting the bill, Hon. Ogah recalled that on December 12, 2024, he sponsored a motion titled “Need to Translate Commitments to Action to End TB by 2030,” which led the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control to initiate legislative measures aimed at addressing discrimination and abuse of the rights of persons affected by Tuberculosis.
According to the lawmaker, the proposed bill seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination based on an individual’s TB status while ensuring that those affected by the disease enjoy their constitutional rights to dignity, healthcare, respect, and equal treatment.
He noted that despite the fact that Tuberculosis is both preventable and curable, many patients continue to face stigmatization and discrimination, preventing them from accessing healthcare services and treatment facilities.
Hon. Ogah emphasized that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the fundamental rights of all citizens and that Nigeria remains under both national and international obligations to protect those rights.
He warned that continued discrimination against persons living with TB could undermine efforts to eradicate the disease by 2030, as many infected persons may avoid testing and treatment out of fear of stigmatization.
The lawmaker further expressed concern over reports of discrimination in workplaces, where some employers allegedly deny employment opportunities, subject workers to compulsory testing, or terminate appointments based on TB status.
According to him, the proposed legislation would establish a legal framework that protects affected persons from such treatment while encouraging more people to seek early diagnosis and treatment.
He argued that creating a safe and supportive environment for TB patients would not only protect their rights but also contribute significantly to reducing the prevalence of Tuberculosis in Nigeria.
Hon. Ogah therefore called on his colleagues in the National Assembly to support the bill and ensure its successful passage, describing it as a critical step toward ending TB-related stigma and promoting public health across the country.
Observers say the bill, if passed into law, would strengthen Nigeria’s commitment to human rights protection while supporting global efforts aimed at eliminating Tuberculosis as a public health threat by the year 2030.
