Honduras Enacts Landmark Law for TB Prevention and Control
- Global TB Caucus
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
The Global TB Caucus congratulates the Government of Honduras and the National Congress on the formal enactment of the Law for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis (Decree No. 30-2025), published in La Gaceta on 16 June 2025. This groundbreaking legislation marks a major milestone in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Central America—positioning Honduras as a leader in adopting a comprehensive legal framework to tackle the disease.
TB remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Honduras, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations including people living in poverty, Indigenous communities, persons deprived of liberty, migrants, and individuals living with HIV. Recognizing the urgent need for an effective and integrated national response, the new law—passed unanimously by the National Congress and signed by President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento—declares the fight against TB a national priority.
The legislation aligns with international commitments, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB, and introduces a framework that ensures equity, multisectoral coordination, legal protection, and accountability.
Key Features of the Law
The new TB Law of Honduras establishes:
Free and universal access to TB treatment, with strict guarantees for confidentiality and non-discrimination.
The creation of the National TB Commission (CONATBH), bringing together government ministries, universities, civil society, and the private sector to coordinate the national TB response.
Protection of labor rights for workers affected by TB, prohibiting unjust dismissal and requiring employers to facilitate treatment adherence.
Provisions to ensure TB prevention and treatment in prisons, schools, and marginalized communities, with special protections for children, migrants, and Indigenous populations.
Mandated inclusion of TB education in academic curricula and national health communication campaigns.
A requirement for all institutions involved in TB control to allocate budget lines and include TB activities in their annual operational plans.
Rights-Based Approach
Crucially, the law affirms the rights of people affected by TB, including:
The right to health, dignity, education, and work.
Legal protections against discrimination and breaches of medical confidentiality.
The right to community support and nutritional assistance during treatment.
It also outlines the responsibilities of individuals living with TB to adhere to treatment, communicate with health services during migration, and take steps to prevent transmission.
Strengthening the TB Response in All Sectors
The law emphasizes a whole-of-society approach, requiring all sectors—from education and justice to labor and health—to contribute to TB control. It mandates intersectoral data sharing, investment in human resource training, national surveillance systems, and the regular publication of epidemiological reports.
In a notable advance, the law also supports domestic research on TB and mandates biosecurity standards and uninterrupted medicine supply chains—reinforcing Honduras’ preparedness to address drug-resistant TB and future health threats.
As the first dedicated TB law in Honduras, this legislation provides a powerful example for other countries in the region. It demonstrates how parliamentary leadership, sustained civil society advocacy, and government commitment can lead to robust legal instruments that protect lives and build more resilient health systems.
Officially published in La Gaceta de Honduras.