Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare PIB Delhi Read the original release on pib.gov.in
- Shri JP Nadda said- Josh Teams will be activated to give new impetus to India's TB eradication campaign through youth-led community action.
- Union Health Minister said- India has recorded a 21 percent decline in the incidence of tuberculosis and treatment coverage has increased to 92 percent, which is far ahead of global trends.
- He said- India's tuberculosis eradication efforts will have to become a strong people's movement by keeping the youth in the leading role.
- Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said- JOSH teams will harness the energy of the youth of India to eradicate tuberculosis before the year 2030.
- 67,933 Panchayats in 697 districts recognized as TB free by the year 2026 in a significant achievement in India's TB eradication journey
- In the first phase, JOSH teams were launched in 55 districts across 11 states and union territories; This initiative will be expanded nationwide
- New ICT content and mobile applications launched for real-time reporting by Josh teams
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda today launched the JOSH (Joint Health Teams) teams under the Tuberculosis Free India Campaign at a national event organized at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This initiative is an important step towards strengthening youth-led community participation in India's efforts to eradicate tuberculosis. The initiative aims to harness the energy, reach and commitment of youth to take the message of TB prevention, early diagnosis, timely treatment and reducing the stigma associated with it to communities across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri JP Nadda described the launch of JOSH teams as an important achievement in the collective fight against tuberculosis in India. He said the country's efforts towards a TB-free India have transformed from a traditional health program to a people's movement, with public participation and community engagement emerging as the main pillars of the national response. He stressed that the goal of eliminating tuberculosis cannot be achieved through government intervention alone and requires active participation of communities, citizens, elected representatives, frontline workers and especially the youth of the country.
Highlighting the importance of youth-led action, Shri Nadda said that the energy, commitment and wide reach of youth can provide new impetus to the TB eradication campaign. He said that although the Ministry has gradually involved elected representatives and community leadership in this campaign, given the scale and complexity of the challenge, there is a need for a wider network of committed volunteers working directly with the communities. In this context, he appreciated the cooperation of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, as a result of which the JOSH initiative has reached the grassroots level.
Further, Shri Nadda said that JOSH Teams are an effort to bring together the government, communities and citizens in a coordinated and sustainable manner. He stressed that the aim of this initiative is not just to disseminate information, but to establish meaningful dialogue within communities, build trust, allay apprehensions and ensure that people come forward for timely testing and treatment.
The Union Health Minister stressed that India's TB elimination strategy needs to go beyond awareness and screening to include the entire treatment process. He said that awareness and screening are important but our responsibility does not end here. We have to ensure completeness of diagnosis, treatment and cure. He stressed the need to strengthen active case finding so that persons suffering from tuberculosis can be identified early and linked to appropriate treatment. He said early diagnosis is equally important to prevent further infection and protect the health of families and communities.
Stressing the importance of proactively identifying cases of tuberculosis, he said there may be people who may be suffering from tuberculosis but may not be aware of their status and as a result may remain outside the formal healthcare system. Identifying such individuals as early as possible is important not only to ensure timely treatment but also to prevent the spread of infection in families and communities. He called upon JOSH teams to play an important role in identifying vulnerable populations, spreading awareness at the community level and encouraging people with symptoms or concerns to come forward and get tested.
Highlighting the significant progress made by India in the fight against tuberculosis, Shri Nadda cited the latest report of the World Health Organization (WHO) to note that tuberculosis cases in India have declined by 21 per cent, compared to 12 per cent globally. He said tuberculosis treatment coverage in India has increased to 92 percent, which is much higher than 78 percent globally. He said that India's progress in both reducing the incidence of tuberculosis and increasing access to treatment is ahead of the global trend, which is the result of sustained and intensive efforts made under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme. At the same time, he cautioned that there should be no complacency with these achievements. He said that India has made significant progress, but it is necessary to maintain this momentum and further intensify efforts so that every person suffering from Tuberculosis is diagnosed, gets timely treatment and gets full support during the treatment, thereby strengthening the collective resolve of the country towards a Tuberculosis free India.
Furthermore, he highlighted the growing role of technology and innovation in increasing tuberculosis awareness in the country. He said India is increasingly using technology to bring screening and diagnostics closer to communities and make them faster and more accessible. He mentioned the use of portable X-ray machines equipped with artificial intelligence-based tools, which are helpful in identifying individuals showing symptoms of tuberculosis and determining whether further investigation is necessary. He also highlighted the use of rapid molecular diagnostic techniques for timely confirmation of tuberculosis and identification of drug resistance, thereby putting patients on the appropriate treatment pathway without unnecessary delays.
Calling on volunteers to establish meaningful dialogue within communities, Shri Nadda urged JOSH teams to listen to people, address their concerns and help eradicate the fear and stigma associated with tuberculosis. He stressed that tuberculosis is preventable and treatable and no person affected by the disease should face discrimination or social isolation. He also urged the volunteers to promote healthy behaviors including cleanliness, healthy lifestyle and awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and drug abuse.
Shri Nadda stressed that diagnosis is just the beginning of treatment, and every person suffering from Tuberculosis should be linked to appropriate treatment and provided support till recovery. He highlighted the importance of medications, nutritional support and regular adherence to treatment, and noted that India has also strengthened treatment options, including short-term treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Talking about the launch of JOSH Teams, Shri Nadda said that this initiative is being launched in 11 states in the first phase and will gradually expand to the grassroots level. These teams will work at the district and block level and will be supported by digital mechanisms for monitoring and implementation. He expressed confidence that this youth-led initiative will be helpful in identifying gaps, strengthening outreach and ensuring that TB-related services reach even those who are outside the formal healthcare system.
The Union Health Minister also congratulated 67,933 panchayats in 697 districts that were declared TB free in 2026 and termed the achievement as a symbol of the power of community participation and local leadership. He appreciated the elected representatives, health workers, volunteers and community members for implementing the National Tuberculosis Elimination Agenda at the grassroots level.
Seeing India close to its goal, Shri Nadda called for determined and sustained efforts to take the country to the ultimate goal. He called upon the NCC cadets and MY Bharat volunteers to become ambassadors of Tuberculosis Free India Movement, taking the message of prevention, early testing, timely treatment and eradicating stigma to every home and community.
In concluding his address, Shri Nadda called upon all stakeholders to work towards a TB-free India with determination, compassion and a sense of shared responsibility. He congratulated the JOSH Teams on their launch and urged every volunteer, healthcare worker, community member and stakeholder to contribute in the final effort towards a Tuberculosis free India.
In his address on the occasion, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said that the dream of “Healthy Citizen, Healthy Society, Healthy Country” can be realized only when citizens actively contribute in building a healthy society. Highlighting the importance of people's participation in national health campaigns, he said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has continuously encouraged the communities to spread awareness, help the needy and motivate people to get timely treatment.
He also appreciated the efforts of Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda in realizing the vision of a Tuberculosis free India and bringing together various youth networks through the JOSH Teams initiative.
Referring to the World Health Organization's target of eliminating tuberculosis by 2030, Dr. Mandaviya said that India is playing a leading role towards this objective and is determined to achieve this target before the global deadline. He emphasized that India, being one of the youngest major countries in the world, recognizes the immense potential of its youth and understands the importance of providing them the right guidance, mentorship and opportunities to contribute to nation building.
Dr. Mandaviya said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has provided ‘My Bharat’ as a platform to guide, engage and empower the youth in nation building activities. He informed that lakhs of NCC cadets and NSS volunteers are being groomed to serve the nation and contribute to social work. He said that linking these young volunteers with the National Tuberculosis Eradication Program under the support and leadership of Shri JP Nadda has made the ‘Josh Team’ initiative possible.
Highlighting the potential of JOSH teams at the grassroots level, Dr. Mandaviya said volunteers can play a vital role in identifying people suffering from tuberculosis, creating awareness about prevention and nutrition, counseling patients to adhere to treatment and medication, and reducing the stigma associated with the disease.
Dr. Mandaviya expressed confidence that with sustained efforts at all levels, India will realize its aspiration to be TB-free before 2030 and demonstrate to the world the power of the youth-led movement against TB.
Welcoming the national launch of JOSH (Joint Health Teams) teams, Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta said that this initiative is an important step towards strengthening TB eradication efforts in India by taking the campaign directly to the communities. He appreciated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for bringing together the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defense for this purpose and said that the combined strengths of these Ministries can significantly expand the reach of the Tuberculosis Elimination Campaign.
The Chief Minister stressed that the energy, dedication and wide reach of the youth can make the Josh Teams a powerful force in the fight against Tuberculosis. He said youth volunteers can help spread awareness about prevention, early diagnosis and treatment in communities and motivate people to seek timely treatment, while also contributing to removing the stigma associated with the disease.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that JOSH Teams will emerge as a strong youth-led force in the fight against Tuberculosis and help take the message of prevention, early detection and treatment to communities across the country.
Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth, while addressing the gathering, said that the fight against Tuberculosis should reach every village, hamlet and household, especially those places where people shy away from getting timely treatment due to fear and social stigma. He emphasized that prevention of tuberculosis is possible and its treatment is also possible. He urged JOSH teams to build confidence in communities, encourage people to come forward for testing and support patients to complete their treatment. He said that no one should hide their symptoms nor fight the disease alone.
Shri Seth said that the energy, dedication and wide reach of NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers can provide new momentum to the TB eradication campaign. He urged the youth to imbibe the spirit of service, courage and determination to spread awareness, encourage testing, promote healthy habits and stand by the patients and their families. He said that only when the youth will spread the message of prevention and treatment of tuberculosis to the communities, this campaign can truly become a people's movement.
Concluding his address, he expressed confidence that this spirit will contribute significantly to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India and a TB-free India.
The event also saw the launch of several new digital and IEC initiatives to strengthen community engagement and provide support to individuals affected by TB. JOSH Flipbooks and JOSH Brochures were released by the teams to promote awareness and outreach activities.
Khushi Avatar, an initiative of e-Sangini, has been launched to provide information about the symptoms and treatment options of Tuberculosis, address common doubts and queries related to Tuberculosis and remind patients to take medicines on time. The service is available in 12 Indian languages, allowing wider and more accessible dissemination of information.
A dedicated Josh Team feature was also launched on the Tuberculosis Free India app during the event, to further support and facilitate the activities of youth led teams.
Launched at the national level, all 804 districts across the country participated virtually, highlighting the wide reach of the initiative. In the first phase, JOSH teams have been deployed in 55 districts across 11 states and union territories. Training and activation programs of JOSH teams will be conducted in the remaining districts, paving the way for the expansion of this initiative across the country.
District level Tuberculosis free Panchayats were also honored in this programme, in which 67,933 Panchayats of 697 districts declared Tuberculosis free in the year 2026 were recognised. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of health workers, elected representatives, Panchayati Raj institutions, community members and volunteers who have contributed to strengthening awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis at the local level.
About Josh Initiative
JOSH initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Ministry of Defence, with participation from the Government of Delhi. This initiative reflects a holistic approach of government and society to eradicate tuberculosis, bringing together the institutional strength of government, the reach of youth networks and the participation of communities to strengthen action against tuberculosis at the grassroots level.
Each JOSH team consists of five My Bharat volunteers and five NCC cadets and is led by a designated first class officer at the block/ward level. The objective of these teams is to act as a vital community level contact point for the Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, conducting regular outreach and grassroots activities to increase public awareness about Tuberculosis, promote early diagnosis and treatment, address misconceptions and misconceptions and encourage greater community participation.
Through household and community contacts, the teams will focus on raising awareness about the common symptoms of tuberculosis, preventive measures, the benefits of early diagnosis and the importance of completing prescribed treatment. She will also engage with families and communities to combat the stigma and discrimination associated with tuberculosis and encourage those affected by the disease to seek care and stay connected to the treatment system.
The launch of JOSH Teams reinforces this spirit of collective action, providing youth with a dedicated platform to become active participants in the TB-free India campaign. Through the joint participation of government officials, My Bharat volunteers, NCC cadets, health workers, Panchayati Raj institutions and communities, this initiative seeks to deepen public participation and strengthen the process of reaching the last mile of TB, thereby reaffirming our collective resolve to build a healthy and TB-free India.
In this program, Health Minister of Delhi Government, Shri Pankaj Singh; Lok Sabha MPs Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Harsh Malhotra, Shri Yogendra Chandolia and Shri Ramveer Singh Bidhuri; Rajya Sabha MP Ms. Swati Maliwal; Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Cadet Corps (NHM) and representatives of Government of Delhi, MY Bharat and National Cadet Corps (NCC) were present.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
