The district-level launch of JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was held on October 8 at the Training Hall of SNM Hospital, Leh. The district participated virtually in the national launch programme organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The JOSH initiative aims to strengthen youth-led community mobilisation and encourage grassroots participation in efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB).

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 programme featured videos highlighting the contributions of MY Bharat volunteers and NCC cadets. Information and awareness materials, including the JOSH brochure, Flip Book and the E-Sangini feature on the TB Mukt App, were also introduced. The programme further highlighted Khushi Avatar, an AI-powered chatbot designed to improve public awareness and engagement in the fight against TB.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Rinchen Chosdol, emphasised that eliminating TB requires individual and collective efforts 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 the programme 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, highlighted ongoing efforts to identify active TB cases at the village level. She informed the gathering that 129 new TB cases had been identified, while 49 Gram Panchayats had achieved TB-free status, reflecting sustained efforts towards making the district TB-free.

During the programme, 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, Jigmet Spaldon, and NCC Subedar Ramananda Singh were also felicitated for their support and participation in the initiative.

Medical Superintendent of SNM Hospital, Leh, Dr Yangchan Dolma, and Block Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Javed Ahmad, were also present.

The launch witnessed 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 collective mission to make Ladakh TB-free.

Following lunch, the JOSH Team members attended an orientation session conducted by Yasser Ahmed, District Programme Coordinator (DPC), Leh, and Phuntsog Namgyal, Senior Treatment Supervisor (STS), who sensitised them about the initiative through a PowerPoint presentation.