Union Health Minister launches JOSH teams to accelerate TB elimination drive
The Indian Union Health Ministry has launched the JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) initiative to identify and treat undiagnosed tuberculosis cases. NCC cadets and volunteers will conduct household-level outreach in 55 districts to ensure patients receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
Why it matters
Active case finding is a critical strategy for India's goal of eliminating tuberculosis by improving healthcare access for marginalized or unaware populations.
The Union Health Ministry is engaging with youth volunteers to find people with tuberculosis (TB) who may be missing from the health system. JOSH teams of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and MY Bharat volunteers are deploying for household-level outreach in 55 districts across 11 States and Union Territories.
Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan on Thursday. The teams will work at block and ward levels to identify people with symptoms, encourage testing, and support patients so they can complete treatment.
Each team will comprise five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers and will function under a designated Class-I officer. The initiative is being implemented jointly by the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Youth Affairs and Sports and Defence.
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