Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nadda Says India Is Close to Its TB Elimination Goal
India's health minister says the country is getting close to its goal of eliminating tuberculosis, or TB.
He said TB cases have fallen in India, and more people are receiving treatment.
A new programme called JOSH will bring together over 58,000 young volunteers and cadets.
They will help communities learn about TB and find people who may have it.
They will also encourage early diagnosis and treatment.
Volunteers are asked to work with existing TB support groups.
The minister said patients should receive medicines and nutritional support.
He said the government, health workers, volunteers, and communities all need to work together.
Health Minister J.P. Nadda said India is close to its tuberculosis elimination goal and called for a final push.
He reported that TB incidence in India had fallen 21%, compared with a 12% global decline.
India's TB treatment coverage had reached 92%, against a global average of 78%, Nadda said.
The newly launched JOSH initiative will mobilise more than 58,000 MY Bharat volunteers and National Cadet Corps cadets.
JOSH will support community mobilisation, screening, active case finding, early diagnosis, treatment, and patient access to medicines and nutrition.
- Who
- Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and more than 58,000 youth volunteers planned for the JOSH initiative.
- What
- Nadda launched JOSH and said India was close to its tuberculosis elimination goal.
- When
- Thursday; no date was specified.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- Why
- To strengthen community-level TB screening, case finding, early diagnosis, treatment, and support, and help achieve the TB-free India goal.
Reported progress
Remaining challenge
India's progress toward TB elimination
Reported progress
Nadda said India was very close to its elimination goal, citing a 21% decline in TB incidence and 92% treatment coverage.
Remaining challenge
Nadda also said the goal still required a final push, sustained grassroots participation, active case finding, and continued support for patients.
- Initiative
- Joint Squad for Health (JOSH)
- Planned volunteers
- More than 58,000
- Volunteer groups
- MY Bharat volunteers and National Cadet Corps cadets
- Reported decline in India's TB incidence
- 21%
- Reported global decline in TB incidence
- 12%
- Reported TB treatment coverage in India
- 92%
- Reported global average treatment coverage
- 78%
- Launch venue
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi