Churachandpur: Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district Krishna Kumar, IAS, launched 13 JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) teams across the district on Thursday as part of the nationwide initiative to strengthen community participation in tuberculosis (TB) prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
The district-level programme was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Tuibong, where participants virtually attended the national launch ceremony led by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The programme also distributed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
Speaking at the programme, Krishna Kumar stressed the need to identify people who may have TB without being aware of their condition, including those who are asymptomatic. He enquired about the number and nature of volunteers available in the district and said that the initiative would involve volunteers at the grassroots level in TB awareness, prevention and related activities.
The Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of each block will head the respective JOSH team, with each team comprising 10 volunteers drawn from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and My Bharat Volunteers. Through community outreach and engagement, the teams will disseminate information on TB symptoms, prevention, timely diagnosis and completion of treatment.
As part of the programme, the district distributed Governor’s Food Baskets to four selected TB patients and facilitated Ni-kshay Mitras for supporting TB patients.
Participants also took the TB Pledge, led by L. Biaklun, Staff Nurse, DTC.
According to District TB Officer, Churachandpur, Dr Jamthianlal Valte, 276 TB patients were notified in the district from January to September 2026, comprising 179 males and 97 females. During the period, 53 pulmonary TB patients were cured, including 10 cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB, while 33 extra-pulmonary TB patients completed treatment.The district recorded 180 patients on treatment during the period. There are 69 Ni-kshay Mitras supporting 91 beneficiary patients in the district.
District-level officers from the district administration and line departments, staff of the National TB Elimination Programme, beneficiaries of the Food Baskets and Ni-kshay Mitras attended the programme.
