The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) campaign in October 2026, deploying rapid diagnostic squads across 55 priority districts in 11 states.
WHAT HAPPENED
In mid-October 2026 the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare rolled out the JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) campaign to accelerate the elimination of tuberculosis under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA). The initiative is piloted across 55 high-burden districts in 11 states.
HOW THE JOSH INITIATIVE OPERATES
- Inter-disciplinary squads: Each JOSH team combines community health officers, ASHA workers, laboratory technicians, and local youth volunteers conducting door-to-door screenings and active case finding (ACF).
- Advanced Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Ultra-portable handheld digital X-rays and Truenat / CBNAAT molecular testing kits are deployed directly to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for same-day diagnosis.
- Modern Treatment Regimens: Drug-resistant TB patients are transitioned to the shorter, all-oral BPaLM (Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, Moxifloxacin) regimen approved under national guidelines.
- Digital Monitoring: All screenings, treatment adherence, and nutritional direct benefit transfers (DBT) of Rs 500/month under the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana are tracked via the Ni-kshay digital portal.
INDIA'S PROGRESS
Official data highlights that India's domestic TB incidence has declined significantly faster than the global average, progressing towards ending tuberculosis ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3.3) timeline of 2030.
EXAM ANGLE
- Target: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 aims to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases by 2030. India's National Strategic Plan aims to eliminate TB ahead of the global target.
- Ni-kshay Portal: India's web-enabled surveillance platform for TB patient management.
- Ni-kshay Mitra: Voluntary community initiative providing diagnostic, nutritional, and vocational support to TB patients.
- Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana: Financial incentive of Rs 500 per month provided to all notified TB patients throughout their treatment duration.
Published on 14 Oct 2026. Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / PIB releases.