IndiaPosted at: Oct 7 2026 5:05PM


JOSH teams to be rolled out in 55 districts to boost youth-led TB outreach

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) The Centre will launch JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams across 55 districts in 11 states on Thursday to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation and awareness around tuberculosis (TB) elimination, said officials from the Health Ministry.
The initiative, being jointly undertaken by the union Health Ministry, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Defence, will be launched at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Health Minister J P Nadda will lead the launch in the presence of Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
The teams will comprise Class-I officers, MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets and will work at the block, ward and community levels to take TB-related information beyond health facilities.
Their outreach will focus on raising awareness about TB symptoms, prevention, timely diagnosis and completion of treatment, besides addressing misconceptions and stigma associated with the disease. The teams are also expected to encourage communities to participate in TB prevention and treatment efforts.
The launch will also feature new information, education and communication material for the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. An AI-powered chatbot, Khushi Avatar, aimed at improving public awareness and community engagement on TB, will also be introduced.
The initiative comes amid an increased focus on community participation in the country's TB elimination efforts. In 2025, as many as 67,933 panchayats across 697 districts were recognised as TB Mukt, highlighting the role of local bodies, health workers, elected representatives and community volunteers.
Officials said the JOSH Teams would seek to build on this community-driven approach by using the outreach networks of youth volunteers and NCC cadets, with administrative support from Class-I officers.
The three-ministry initiative is aimed at strengthening coordination between government programmes and communities, while expanding grassroots participation in the national TB response.
UNI MBJ RSA
Tags: #JOSH teams to be rolled out in 55 districts to boost youth-led TB outreach
More News

India's three proposals for ending Ukraine conflict -- safety of Black Sea shipping, grain and energy exports, non-attack understandings

08 Oct 2026 | 12:46 AM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) India has been holding "ongoing conversations" with both Russia and Ukraine towards resolving the Ukraine conflict, with New Delhi putting forth specific proposals including the safety of Black Sea shipping, keeping grain and energy exports flowing and “non-attack” possibilities.

see more..

CPI(M) chief MA Baby accuses Modi Govt of authoritarianism over crackdown on opposition protest

08 Oct 2026 | 12:23 AM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby on Wednesday accused the Narendra Modi government of “naked authoritarianism” and contempt for democratic rights, after Opposition MPs protesting against the Election Commission’s functioning were prevented from proceeding with their demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

see more..

PM-UDAY scheme gains momentum as mapping project gets approval: Delhi CM

07 Oct 2026 | 11:21 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) The implementation of the PM-UDAY Scheme, aimed at providing property rights to residents of Delhi’s unauthorised colonies, is set to gain fresh momentum, as the Central Government has approved a Rs 65-crore project under ‘DRISHTI’ (Delhi Revenue and Imaging Survey, Spatial Technology Initiative) to develop a modern geospatial/ GIS-based survey and mapping system in the national capital. .

see more..

PM Modi marks 25 years at the helm, seeks Advani's blessings and renews 'Viksit Bharat' pledge

07 Oct 2026 | 10:28 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked 25 years of uninterrupted service as head of a government by meeting veteran BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani at his residence and seeking his blessings, bringing a personal touch to a milestone celebrated by the government as a defining chapter in his political journey.

see more..

Cong leader Devender Yadav alleges unauthorised Form 8 filing, seeks probe into electoral roll process

07 Oct 2026 | 10:15 PM

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav on Wednesday alleged that a Form 8 seeking correction of his electoral roll particulars was submitted before the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of Badli Assembly constituency without his knowledge or authorisation, and demanded a probe into the matter.

see more..