The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of Defence, will launch JOSH Teams on October 8, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The initiative focuses on 55 districts in 11 States and aims to strengthen grassroots engagement in TB elimination efforts.
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (HFW) will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams on October 8, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. These teams have been envisioned as a structured mechanism to translate the energy and reach of India’s youth into organised community action for TB elimination. 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 elimination to the grassroots level.
Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, will lead the national launch of JOSH Teams in the presence of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports; Shri Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence; and Smt. Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi. The event will bring together senior leadership and stakeholders from the participating Ministries, elected representatives, Class-I Officers, MY Bharat Volunteers, NCC Cadets, and other stakeholders associated with India’s TB elimination efforts.
The programme will feature an achievement video highlighting key milestones of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, followed by the formal launch of JOSH Teams. New Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan will also be launched. The event will further witness the launch of Khushi Avatar, an AI-powered chatbot, aimed at strengthening public awareness, community engagement, and participation in the national effort towards TB elimination.
JOSH Teams have been structured to combine administrative leadership with the extensive youth networks and community outreach capabilities of MY Bharat and NCC. Through community outreach and engagement, JOSH Teams will support the dissemination of key messages on TB symptoms, prevention, timely diagnosis, and completion of treatment. They will also contribute to efforts to address myths and misconceptions surrounding TB, reduce stigma, and encourage individuals, families, and communities to participate actively in the national TB elimination movement.
The initiative seeks to enable young people to become active partners in the TB response, providing them with a defined platform to contribute to awareness generation, social mobilisation, and community engagement. The convergence of Class-I Officers, MY Bharat Volunteers, and NCC Cadets will further strengthen the connect between government programmes and communities at the grassroots.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
