New Delhi, 08 October (H.S.): Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Wednesday launched Joint Squad for Health (JOSH) teams at Bharat Mandapam to strengthen youth participation in the campaign to make India tuberculosis-free. The initiative focuses on directly engaging young people with communities to promote TB prevention, timely screening and treatment, while addressing stigma, discrimination and misconceptions surrounding the disease.

Addressing the programme at Bharat Mandapam on Thursday, Nadda said the campaign for a TB-free India was no longer merely a government health programme but was evolving into a mass movement driven by public participation. He said the goal of eliminating TB could not be achieved through government efforts alone and required the active participation of communities, elected representatives, healthcare workers, volunteers and, particularly, the country’s youth.

He said JOSH teams would not be confined to spreading awareness. They would engage directly with people, address their concerns and encourage those displaying symptoms to undergo timely testing and begin treatment. While awareness and screening were important, he said, the responsibility did not end there. Supporting a TB patient from identification and initiation of treatment through completion of the treatment course was equally essential.

Citing the latest World Health Organization report, the Health Minister said the incidence of TB in India had declined by 21 per cent, compared with a 12 per cent reduction globally. TB treatment coverage in India has risen to 92 per cent, compared with 78 per cent globally. Despite these achievements, he stressed that there was no room for complacency and that the focus must remain on the timely identification of every TB patient, initiation of treatment and ensuring completion of the prescribed course.

Nadda also highlighted the role of technology in making TB screening and diagnosis easier. He said artificial intelligence-based technology was being used alongside portable X-ray machines. In addition, rapid molecular diagnostic technologies can facilitate early confirmation of TB and identification of drug resistance.

At the programme, 67,933 panchayats across 697 districts were recognised in 2026 as TB-free panchayats. Nadda described the achievement as a result of public participation and grassroots leadership by panchayats. He called upon NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers to become ambassadors of the TB-free India campaign and take the message of prevention, timely screening, treatment completion and elimination of TB-related stigma to households across the country.

The JOSH teams have been launched in the first phase across 55 districts in 11 states and Union Territories. Representatives from all 804 districts participated in the programme virtually. The initiative will subsequently be expanded to the remaining districts through the formation and training of additional teams.

Each JOSH team will comprise five MY Bharat volunteers and five NCC cadets. The teams will be led at the block or ward level by designated Group A officers. They will undertake household and community outreach to provide information about TB symptoms, prevention, early screening and completion of treatment. They will also encourage TB patients and their families to remain engaged with treatment and help protect them from social discrimination.

Flipbooks and brochures for JOSH teams were also released during the programme. In addition, the ‘Khushi Avatar’ e-Sangini initiative was launched to provide information in 12 Indian languages on TB symptoms, treatment and the timely intake of medicines.

A dedicated feature for JOSH teams was also launched on the TB Mukt Bharat app. The feature will provide digital support and monitoring for the teams’ activities and their grassroots work.

On the occasion, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said India’s young population could provide fresh impetus to the country’s TB elimination campaign. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created platforms such as MY Bharat to connect young people with nation-building efforts, he said. Mandaviya expressed confidence that JOSH teams would enable young people to play a significant role in TB detection, awareness, nutrition, treatment adherence and reducing the stigma associated with the disease.

Mandaviya said the World Health Organization has set a target of ending TB by 2030, while India is working to achieve the goal ahead of that deadline.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the energy and reach of young people could transform JOSH teams into an effective community force against TB. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the campaign against TB needed to reach every village, settlement and household.

The JOSH initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, with the participation of the Delhi Government. The initiative aims to bring the government, youth networks and communities together to strengthen grassroots efforts towards TB elimination.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar