- JOSH Teams launched in 55 districts across 11 States and Union Territories in phase one
- TB incidence in India down 21 per cent; global decline is 12 per cent
- Treatment coverage at 92 per cent, against a global figure of 78 per cent
- 67,933 Panchayats in 697 districts recognised as TB Mukt in 2026
- New JOSH Flipbook, brochure, Khushi Avatar service and app feature launched
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams on Thursday at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The teams will take TB prevention, early diagnosis and treatment to communities through young volunteers.
Youth to lead the campaign
The JOSH Teams are part of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The Health Ministry runs them with the Ministries of Youth Affairs and Sports and Defence, with the Government of NCT of Delhi taking part.
Each team has five MY Bharat Volunteers and five NCC Cadets. A designated Class-I officer leads each team at the Block or Ward level.
Nadda said the campaign had moved from a conventional health programme to a people’s movement. He said the goal could not be reached by government action alone.
Nadda urged the teams to listen to people, ease fears about TB and end stigma. He said no patient should face discrimination or social isolation.
India’s progress against TB
Nadda cited the latest World Health Organization report. It shows TB incidence in India has fallen by 21 per cent, while the global decline is 12 per cent.
India’s treatment coverage has risen to 92 per cent, compared with a global figure of 78 per cent. Nadda warned that these gains must not lead to complacency.
He called for a final push. He also urged NCC Cadets and MY Bharat Volunteers to act as ambassadors of the campaign.
New tools and rollout
Nadda said portable X-ray machines with Artificial Intelligence-based tools can help screen people for TB. Rapid molecular tests can confirm the disease and detect drug resistance faster.
The event launched the JOSH Flipbook and JOSH Brochure for outreach. Khushi Avatar, an e-Sangini service, gives information on symptoms and treatment in 12 Indian languages. A JOSH Teams feature was also added to the TB Mukt Bharat App.
In the first phase, JOSH Teams have been deployed in 55 districts across 11 States and Union Territories. All 804 districts joined the national launch virtually, and the remaining districts will prepare their teams.
The event also felicitated the 67,933 Panchayats in 697 districts declared TB Mukt in 2026.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said India aims to become TB-free before 2030, ahead of the WHO’s target. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the campaign must reach every village and household.
