Johns Hopkins University (JHU) based in Maryland, USA, has announced two major initiatives in India aimed at tackling pressing national challenges—paediatric tuberculosis (TB) and the underrepresentation of women in STEMM, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

These programmes, announced at a Delhi event on Monday celebrating a century of India's tie-ups with JHU, reflect the university's commitment to innovation and collaboration with Indian institutions, something that has continued for 100 years now.

Moreover, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also held talks with JHU officials on Sunday regarding establishing a campus in India.

In its effort to combat paediatric TB, JHU is scaling its TB-Free Schools Initiative, which has already achieved remarkable success in Himachal Pradesh, reducing TB cases in residential schools by 87%. The initiative will now expand to Pune and Satara (Maharashtra), Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), and Chennai (Tamil Nadu).

The programme focuses on detecting and treating active and latent TB among students in day schools. It also provides education, counselling, and linkage to care.

A collaboration with the Government of India, AIIMS Gorakhpur, the Serum Institute of India, and the Mukul Madhav Foundation, this initiative aims to create a sustainable model for nationwide deployment.

Dr Urvashi B Singh, Deputy Director General, Central Tuberculosis Division, commented, “Addressing childhood TB is critical for eliminating tuberculosis in India. This initiative offers cost-effective screening methods that can be deployed in schools nationwide.”