District Launch of JOSH Teams under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan held in Shimla

Shimla, 08 October 2026:

The District Health & Family Welfare Department, Shimla, today organised the District Launch of Joint Squad for Health (JOSH) Teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at the District Training Centre, DDUZH, Shimla. The programme was inaugurated by the Sh. Harish Janartha, Hon’ble MLA, Shimla Urban, in the presence of senior health officials, TB Champions, youth representatives, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers and health partners. The launch programme was organised with the objective of strengthening community participation and youth engagement in the fight against tuberculosis.

Dr. Yashpal Ranta, Chief Medical Officer, Shimla, delivered an orientation and briefing on tuberculosis, the district TB situation and the role of community-based interventions under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. During the programme, the participants were apprised that tuberculosis continues to be one of the major infectious diseases globally. India reported approximately 26.1 lakh new TB cases in 2025, while Himachal Pradesh reported 14,916 new TB cases. In Shimla district, the number of notified TB cases has shown a declining trend, from 1,794 cases in 2022 to 1,450 cases in 2026. 141 Panchayats of the district out of Total 412 has been declared TB free in the year 2025.

The JOSH initiative seeks to bring together young people, community volunteers and various stakeholders to support TB awareness, early identification of presumptive TB cases, referral for testing and treatment, reduction of stigma and promotion of treatment adherence. The initiative aims to provide a structured platform for young volunteers to become active partners in achieving the goal of a TB-free Shimla.

Dr Vineet Lakhanpal, District TB Officer emphasized on the importance of community-based TB screening and early diagnosis. The district has conducted 205 TB screening camps at Village/Ward level in this year, while new technologies such as AI-based handheld X-rays are also being introduced to strengthen TB screening and facilitate early detection, particularly in underserved and difficult-to-reach areas.

The programme also highlighted the important role of TB Champions/TB Vijetas-persons who have successfully completed TB treatment-in creating awareness, addressing stigma and motivating patients and communities. The health department has trained 312 such TB Champions in the district. Two TB Champions shared their personal experiences under the “Meri TB Ki Kahani” segment, providing an important message of hope and encouraging people affected by TB to seek timely diagnosis and complete treatment.

NCC cadets, Youth Officers/representatives, NSS volunteers, health partners and TB Champions were felicitated during the event in recognition of their contribution and participation in TB awareness and community outreach activities.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble MLA, Shimla Urban, appreciated the efforts of the Health Department and all participating organisations in strengthening the community movement against TB. The Hon’ble MLA emphasised the importance of active participation of young people, educational institutions, community organisations and civil society in creating awareness about TB, reducing stigma and ensuring that persons with symptoms reach health facilities at the earliest. He has called upon the newly launched JOSH Teams to act as ambassadors of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, helping spread correct information about TB, encouraging symptomatic persons to undergo testing and supporting the district’s efforts towards early diagnosis, complete treatment and prevention of TB.

The District Health Department reiterated its commitment to strengthening the Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) approach and working collectively with youth, TB Champions, community organisations, local institutions and health partners to achieve the vision of a TB Mukt Shimla and TB Mukt Bharat.