JOSH Teams to Expand Across 55 Districts in 11 States to Raise TB Awareness

Summary:
The Union Health Ministry, along with the Ministries of Youth Affairs and Sports and Defence, will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams on October 8 to strengthen youth-led mobilisation for TB elimination. The initiative will initially cover 55 districts across 11 states, bringing together Class-I officers, MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets to raise awareness about TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment while addressing stigma and misconceptions. An AI-powered chatbot, Khushi Avatar, will also be introduced to support public engagement. The programme builds on the Government’s Jan Bhagidari approach and aims to unite health, youth and defence networks in expanding community participation in the TB Mukt Bharat campaign. 

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, together with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams on October 8 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

In the initial phase, JOSH Teams will be introduced in 55 districts across 11 states to enhance youth-driven community mobilisation and bring the TB Mukt Bharat message to people at the grassroots level. The national launch will be led by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers J.P. Nadda. Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will also participate in the event.

The launch event will bring together senior officials and stakeholders from the participating ministries, elected representatives, Class-I officers, MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets contributing to India’s tuberculosis elimination efforts. It will feature a video showcasing key achievements of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, followed by the official launch of the JOSH Teams and the introduction of new Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials.

An AI-based chatbot named Khushi Avatar will also be introduced to enhance public awareness, community involvement and participation in the country’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis.

JOSH Teams aim to harness the reach and enthusiasm of India’s youth for coordinated community-level action against TB. The teams will consist of Class-I officers, MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets, bringing together administrative leadership and the community outreach networks of MY Bharat and the NCC.

During the first phase, the programme will concentrate on engagement at the block, ward and community levels. Through various outreach initiatives, JOSH Teams will educate communities about TB symptoms, prevention, early diagnosis and completion of treatment. They will also work to dispel myths and misconceptions, address stigma and encourage wider public participation in the national TB elimination campaign.

The initiative builds on the Government’s emphasis on Jan Bhagidari, or people’s participation, as a central component of India’s TB elimination strategy. In 2025, a total of 67,933 Panchayats across 697 districts were recognised as TB Mukt, highlighting the combined efforts of healthcare workers, elected representatives, community members and volunteers.

JOSH Teams will further strengthen this community-driven model by leveraging youth networks to expand awareness, mobilisation and participation in TB-related efforts. The programme also represents a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, bringing the health, youth and defence sectors together toward a shared national goal.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide the public health and tuberculosis elimination framework, while the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence will support the involvement of MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets in community-level mobilisation and outreach.