India is nearing its goal of eliminating tuberculosis (TB), with the government launching the Joint Squad for Health (JOSH) initiative to strengthen grassroots mobilization against the disease. The initiative will bring together more than 58,000 youth volunteers, including My Bharat volunteers and National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, to increase community participation in TB elimination efforts. India’s TB incidence has declined by 21%, compared with a 12% decline globally. Treatment coverage in India has reached 92%, compared with 78% globally.

The Union Health Minister emphasized that the country needs a final push to achieve its TB-free India goal and called for coordinated participation from government agencies, communities, and citizens. The JOSH initiative was developed through discussions involving the ministries responsible for health, youth affairs and sports, and defense. The…