JOSH initiative aims to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation; first phase rolled out in 55 districts across 11 States
Leh,Oct 08; The district administration on Thursday launched JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan at the Training Hall of SNM Hospital here, with Leh participating virtually in the national launch organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The JOSH initiative seeks to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation and deepen grassroots participation in the country’s tuberculosis elimination efforts. The first phase is being rolled out across 55 districts in 11 States, bringing together administrative leadership, MY Bharat volunteers, NCC cadets and Class-I officers to support the TB Mukt Bharat campaign.
The launch featured achievement videos highlighting the contributions of MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets. Awareness materials, including the JOSH brochure, a flip book and the E-Sangini feature on the TB Mukt App, were also introduced. The programme spotlighted Khushi Avatar, an AI-powered chatbot aimed at improving public awareness and engagement in the fight against TB.
Speaking at the event, Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Rinchen Chosdol said TB elimination requires individual and collective support from every section of society. She stressed the need to ensure that vulnerable and mobile populations, including labourers and migrant workers, are effectively covered under TB screening, awareness and treatment initiatives.
District Panchayat Officer, Leh, Saqib Sharief Khan, JKAS, who attended as the Guest of Honour, assured full support from his department to JOSH Teams and TB workers in strengthening community-level interventions and achieving the goal of TB elimination.
District Tuberculosis Officer, Leh, Dr Tsering Palmo, said 129 new TB cases have been identified in the district, while 49 Gram Panchayats have achieved TB-free status — a reflection of sustained efforts towards making Leh TB-free.
TB Mukt Panchayats were felicitated by Director of Health Services, UT Ladakh, Dr Tashi Thinless, and CMO Leh, Dr Rinchen Chosdol. Deputy Director, MY Bharat, Leh, Mrs Jigmet Spaldon, and Subedar Ramananda Singh of the NCC were also felicitated for their support to the initiative.
Medical Superintendent, SNM Hospital, Leh, Dr Yangchan Dolma, and BMO Leh, Dr Javed Ahmad, were present.
The launch saw active participation from NCC cadets, MY Bharat volunteers and village representatives, including Gobas and Nambardars from various villages, reaffirming the importance of community participation in the mission to make Ladakh TB-free.
Later, the JOSH team was sensitised by Yasser Ahmed, DPC Leh, and STS Phuntsog Namgyal through a presentation.
