JOSH Teams to be Launched Tomorrow for TB-Free India, Led by Health Minister J.P. Nadda
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will launch 'JOSH' teams at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on October 8, 2026, aiming to take the TB elimination campaign to the grassroots level through youth engagement.
To strengthen community participation in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) in India, 'JOSH' (Joint Squad for Health) teams will be launched on October 8, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Ministry of Defence. Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, will lead the national launch.
The event will be attended by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports; Shri Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence; and Mrs. Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi. Senior officials from the respective ministries, elected representatives, Class I officers, My Bharat volunteers, and NCC cadets will also be present. During the program, a video highlighting the achievements of the 'TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' will be screened, new Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials will be released, and 'Khushi Avatar,' an AI-powered chatbot for public awareness, will be launched.
In the first phase, youth-led community mobilization will begin across 55 districts in 11 states through the JOSH teams. These teams, comprising Class I officers, My Bharat volunteers, and NCC cadets, will spread messages regarding TB symptoms, prevention, timely screening, and treatment at the block, ward, and community levels. The primary objective is to eliminate myths and social stigma associated with TB and actively engage the public in the National TB Elimination Program.
This initiative reflects the government's 'Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society' approach, uniting health, youth, and defense networks. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide the framework for TB elimination, while the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence will ensure the participation of My Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets, respectively.
It is noteworthy that in 2025, 67,933 panchayats across 697 districts were recognized as TB-free. The JOSH teams aim to build upon this spirit of public participation, further strengthening the coordination between government programs and communities at the grassroots level.
