Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, today launched Joint Squad for Health – JOSH Teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan at a function in New Delhi. It is a significant step towards strengthening youth-led community participation in India’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis.
The initiative seeks to harness the energy, outreach and commitment of young people to take the message of TB prevention, early diagnosis, timely treatment and stigma reduction to communities across the country. In the first phase, JOSH Teams will be rolled out across 55 districts in 11 States, with the objective of strengthening youth-led community mobilisation and taking the message of TB Mukt Bharat to the grassroots. JOSH Teams have been envisaged as a structured mechanism to translate the energy and reach of India’s youth into organised community action for TB elimination. in his address, Mr Nadda said that the goal of eliminating TB cannot be achieved by government interventions alone and requires the active participation of communities, citizens, elected representatives, frontline workers and, particularly, the youth of the country.
Highlighting India’s significant progress in the fight against TB, Mr Nadda referred to the latest World Health Organization report and noted that TB incidence in India has declined by 21 per cent, compared to a 12 per cent decline globally. He further highlighted that India’s TB treatment coverage has risen to 92 per cent, significantly higher than the global treatment coverage of 78 per cent. He said that India’s progress, which is ahead of the global trend both in reducing TB incidence and expanding access to treatment, reflects the sustained and intensified efforts undertaken under the national TB elimination programme. At the same time, he cautioned that these gains must not lead to complacency.
The Union health Minister aemphasised that TB is preventable and curable and that no person affected by the disease should face discrimination or social isolation. He also urged volunteers to promote healthy behaviours, including hygiene, healthy lifestyles and awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and substance use. He also highlighted that around 68 thousand Panchayats across 697 districts recognised as TB Mukt in 2026.
Speaking at the Occasion, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, said that the vision of a Swasth Nagarik, Swasth Samaj, Swasth Desh can be realised when citizens actively contribute towards building a healthier society. Referring to the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating TB by 2030, Dr. Mandaviya said that India is spearheading efforts towards this objective and is determined to achieve the goal ahead of the global timeline.
Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, said that the fight against TB must reach every village, settlement and household, particularly those where fear and stigma may prevent people from seeking timely care.
Welcoming the national launch of the JOSH Teams, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the initiative marks an important step towards strengthening India’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis by taking the campaign directly to communities.
This is a news report by Akashvani News (All India Radio), reproduced as issued.
