Youth Squads Tackle TB Elimination Mission

Union Minister JP Nadda unveiled JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams on Thursday, a new initiative under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. These teams, composed of National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and MY Bharat volunteers, are designed to enhance community-level engagement in the fight against tuberculosis. Launched in 55 districts spanning 11 states, the JOSH teams aim to strengthen outreach and support India's ambitious goal of tuberculosis elimination.

The health ministry explained that each JOSH team includes five MY Bharat Volunteers and five NCC Cadets, led by a Class-I officer at the Block/Ward level. Their function is to serve as a vital community interface for the TB elimination program. They will conduct regular outreach activities to improve public understanding of TB, promote early diagnosis and treatment, and address common myths and misconceptions.

This youth-driven initiative was conceived following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion to involve young people institutionally in the TB elimination campaign. The government's intensified TB campaign, initiated in December 2024, aims to cover the final stages of elimination. The JOSH teams will operate at district and block levels, utilizing digital mechanisms for monitoring and implementation, and will play a crucial role in identifying vulnerable populations and encouraging symptomatic individuals to seek testing.

India has demonstrated significant progress, with a 21% decline in TB incidence compared to a 12% global decline, and a national treatment coverage of 92% exceeding the global average of 78%. Despite these gains, Minister Nadda cautioned against complacency, stressing the need to sustain momentum and intensify efforts to ensure all TB cases are diagnosed, treated, and supported. India's target is to eliminate TB before the global goal of 2030.