J&J India Launches “Be The Change For TB” Initiative, Health News, ET HealthWorld

Mumbai: On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, Johnson & Johnson India announced the launch of a youth-focused digital initiative, Be The Change For TB, as part of its commitment to the Corporate TB Pledge, a joint initiative with the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), supporting the Indian government’s goal to end TB. Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor has been named the face of the initiative.

This initiative aims to create a group of young changemakers who can act as catalysts of change to help eliminate TB from the country.

Through social media, chatbots and more, the Be The Change For TB initiative aims to increase awareness of the disease, build youth engagement and participation, and improve healthcare-seeking behaviors at supporting the government’s vision of a TB-free India. Kunal Pandagle, also known as Kaam Bhaari, a young Indian hip-hop artist and lyricist, joins Kapoor to inspire Indian youth to join the movement through a rap song.

The Be The Change For TB initiative is aimed at young people in India, as they are best placed to be the torchbearers in driving behavioral change among the public, which can dramatically escalate the fight. against tuberculosis. The initiative will also eliminate common misconceptions around TB and communicate the right messages about diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The communication and social mobilization aspects of this initiative would involve various online and on-the-ground interventions, including collaboration with state and district health departments, the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), and communities. local.

“Every individual and every organization has the potential to make an impact in the fight against TB,” said Sarthak Ranade, Managing Director of Janssen India. “We invite people around the world to join us in our mission to reduce the burden of TB by raising awareness in your community and advocating for health-promoting behaviors. Through the power of multi-sectoral partnerships, coming together in numbers and united around a common cause, we can help turn the tide against this devastating disease – once and for all.

Kapoor said: “It is imperative that we all come together and make a difference. I am honored to be part of the “Be the Change for TB” initiative and call on young people across the country and around the world to join this movement and be agents of change by spreading verified information about treatment and encouraging people to seek care early. I am convinced that together we can reduce the burden of TB in India. »

Sharing his perspective, Pandagle said, “I am honored to be part of the ‘Be the Change for TB’ public health initiative to empower young people, raise awareness and improve health-seeking behaviors. I am sure this will create a group of change makers who will spread awareness about the treatment available and help make India TB free. »

Collaboration is key to maximizing the impact of these programs and generating new learning. To this end, through initiatives such as Be The Change For TB, J&J brings together some of the key players in TB, youth services and global health to deliver solutions to engage and activate more effectively young people in the fight against tuberculosis.