Health Ministry to launch JOSH Teams for tuberculosis elimination in 55 districts across 11 States

7 October 2026

Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda is to lead the national launch of JOSH Teams at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 8 October 2026.
JOSH stands for Joint Squad for Health, a structured mechanism to turn youth energy into organised community action for tuberculosis elimination.
In the first phase, JOSH Teams will be deployed across 55 districts in 11 States to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation.
The launch is a joint effort of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence.
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Shri Sanjay Seth and Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta are among those taking part.
The programme includes new Information, Education and Communication materials and the launch of Khushi Avatar, an AI-powered chatbot for TB awareness.
In 2025, 67,933 panchayats across 697 districts were recognised as TB Mukt.