Youth Participation Key to Achieving TB-Free India: Health Minister

UdaipurTimes, Oct 9, 2026 - Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda has said that achieving the goal of a TB-free India requires not only government efforts but also the active participation of society and youth. The Minister was speaking at the national launch of JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams on Thursday, October 8, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Through JOSH  teams, youth are being engaged in awareness and public participation campaigns against TB. He said that JOSH 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.

Alongside the national programme, activities related to JOSH 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, Gayatri Rathore.

In the first phase, JOSH teams are being launched in 55 districts across 11 States. Each block-level JOSH team will comprise of five MY Bharat volunteers and five NCC cadets. The team will be led by a designated Class-I officer. 

In Rajasthan, JOSH teams have been launched on a pilot basis in seven districts - Alwar, Baran, Banswara, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Rajsamand. 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.