— Emphasis on taking the message of TB awareness to every household and community through JOSH teams
Jaipur, October 2026 : Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda said that achieving the goal of a TB-free India requires not only government efforts but also the active participation of society and youth. Young people possess energy, enthusiasm and the ability to reach out to communities. Through JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams, youth are being engaged in awareness and public participation campaigns against TB.
He said that JOSH teams would play an important role in communicating information about TB symptoms, prevention, timely testing and completion of treatment to communities, while also helping dispel misconceptions and eliminate discrimination associated with the disease.
Shri Nadda made these remarks on Thursday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi during the national launch of JOSH teams. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth, Delhi Chief Minister Smt Rekha Gupta, Union Health Secretary Smt Punya Salila Srivastava and other senior officials were present at the programme. In the first phase, JOSH teams are being launched in 55 districts across 11 states.
Alongside the national programme, activities related to JOSH teams were also organised in Rajasthan. Officials and doctors participated virtually in the national programme from Swasthya Bhawan, Jaipur, under the chairpersonship of Principal Secretary, Medical and Health Department, Smt Gayatri Rathore.
Block-level teams to raise awareness among the public
As per the Government of India’s guidelines, each block-level JOSH team is comprise five MY Bharat volunteers and five NCC cadets. The team will be led by a designated Class-I officer. These young volunteers will inform people about TB symptoms, testing and treatment, and encourage them to seek timely diagnosis and treatment. They will also help dispel misconceptions and address discrimination associated with TB.
JOSH teams launched on a pilot basis in seven districts of Rajasthan
In the first phase, JOSH teams were launched on a pilot basis in Alwar, Baran, Banswara, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Rajsamand districts of Rajasthan. District-level launch and orientation programmes were also organised in other districts of the state. At these programmes, MY Bharat volunteers, NCC cadets and other participants took the pledge to make India TB-free.
In the pilot districts, the teams were briefed on their responsibilities, and field activities were initiated. Special emphasis will be placed on increasing awareness about TB and encouraging people to undergo timely testing and complete treatment through these teams.
Interacting with MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets, Principal Secretary Smt Gayatri Rathore said that the active participation of young people would further strengthen the awareness campaign against TB. She directed them to take the message of a TB-free India to as many people as possible and enhance public participation.
At the programme, MY Bharat volunteers were felicitated with certificates of appreciation by Principal Secretary Smt Gayatri Rathore and Director of Public Health Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma for their active contribution to the TB-free India campaign.
The state-level programme was attended by Director of Public Health Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma; Additional Mission Director, National Health Mission, Smt T. Shubhamangala; Director, AIDS, Dr Sushil Parmar; State TB Officer Dr Purushottam Soni; Dr S. N. Dholpuria; and MY Bharat officials and volunteers, along with NCC cadets.
