Assam has emerged as the state with the lowest life expectancy in India, averaging just 66 years, according to recent data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).This figure not only falls below the national average of approximately 69 years but also trails behind other Northeastern states, with neighboring Nagaland boasting a life expectancy exceeding 75 years.
Health experts attribute Assam's lagging life expectancy to a combination of factors, including air pollution, poor dietary habits, high blood pressure, smoking, and environmental hazards.Dr. Rahul Mehra, UNESCO Chair Representative for Global Health and Education, emphasized the urgency of integrating health education into school curricula to address these issues from an early age.He highlighted that 68% of children aged 6 months to 5 years and 66% of women in Assam suffer from anemia, underscoring the need for preventive measures.
In terms of health system performance, Assam has shown some progress.The NITI Aayog's "Healthy States, Progressive India" report recognized Assam as one of the most improved states in health, noting a 4.8-point increase in its health index score.However, the state still faces significant challenges in achieving better health outcomes.
Financial constraints further complicate the situation.The NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index (FHI) for the financial year 2023 assessed the fiscal health of eighteen major Indian states, excluding Northeastern states like Assam.This exclusion highlights the need for more comprehensive data to address the unique challenges faced by these regions.
Experts advocate for a multifaceted approach to improve health outcomes in Assam.Recommendations include implementing health education in schools, promoting awareness about nutrition and hygiene, and addressing environmental issues such as air pollution.Dr. Mehra also suggested practical measures like the use of air purifiers and continued mask usage to mitigate pollution-related health risks.
Addressing these health challenges is crucial for enhancing the quality of life in Assam and aligning the state's health indicators with national and regional standards.
Kokrajhar: Amid simmering protest over land rights issue of the non Boro people in BTAD areas, an executive BTC body meeting in Kokrajhar agreed said that the general caste cant procure the land rights of the tribals anywhere in the area. BTAD chief Hagrama Mohilary who chaired te meting said a plot of land is transferable only within the general category people.“The tribal can buy and transfer land from general category. But the general category people can't buy or transfer of tribal plot,” said Mohilary. .
Kokrajhar: Amid simmering protest over land rights issue of the non Boro people in BTAD areas, former Rajya Sabha MP and president of United Peoples Party(Liberal) Urkhao Gwra Brahma have seen a conspiracy to fuel unrest in the region. In an exclusive interview with Assam Times, Brahma said that there is no need to stage protest or agitation over the land issue which has been mentioned in the 1886 Land and Revenue Regulation Act as tribal belt and block for the tribals in the state. He accused a section of the leaders of trying to create unrest to take advantage thereof where the non Bodos would clash with the Bodos. He has alleged that Lok Sabha MP Naba Kumar Sarania and some...
KOHIMA: A BJP worker sustained serious injury when miscreants exploded a grenade at a polling booth in Nagaland minutes before the commencement of voting in the north eastern state.The explosion took place at 6.30 in the morning at a booth in Tizit, half an hour ahead of polling where the BJP worker who was preparing to represent the party candidate near the booth sustained injury.He was rushed to the hospital and the security forces deployed at the booth premises are still clueless on the miscreants.
TURA: Even after the sign of a huge turn out of voters EVM malfunctioning have disrupted polling in dozens of voting booths in Meghalaya on Tuesday. Reports of EVM malfunctioning are coming from 51 South Tura, Babura booth, James School and Gorkha School where the voters in the queue have threatened to leave the place. Many EVMs stopped functioning even after the commencement of voting while some others showed the same trouble from 8 in the morning. Voting begin a try 3083 constituencies out of 60 from seven in the morning to elect 59 legislators in 60 member assembly. Counting will take place on March 3 simultaneously along with Nagaland and Tripura.
SHILLONG: GNLA vows to carry forward its struggle for the cause of the Garo people in Meghalaya setting at rest the speculation of an end of the road for the dreaded rebel outfit in the north eastern state.In a statement issued two days after the elimination of the rebel head Sohan D Shira, the rebels remained firm on their own identity, ideologies. “The captain knows the direction whether to go in the same direction or in opposite direction. GNLAis firm in its stand and its own constitution and the leaders and caders derive their power fröm the Constitution of GNLA,” the outfit said. Responding to the speculation of the crises within the outfit, the rebels said,” We know our own powers...
SHILLONG: Amid a massive security blanket voting begins in Meghalaya to elect 59 legislators in the 60 member assembly on Tuesday. Altogether 18.4 lakh voters are exercising their franchise at 3085 booths to decide on the fate of 361 contestants who include chief minister Mukul Sangma, BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh. Voters in large number are waiting in serpentine queue in front of many booths to exercise their franchise as soon as voting commenced at 7 in the morning to conclude at 4 in the afternoon. Security forces are fanning in the nook and corner of the sensitive and hypersensitive areas to ensure free and fair pollsVoting in William Nagar constituency has been countermanded...
MARCUS KANYAKKOHIMA: Amid a mammoth security arrangement voting begins in Nagaland to elect 59 assembly legislators on Tuesday. Voting started at 7 in the morning where 11,70,548 electorates are exercising their franchise till 4 in the afternoon to elect 59 legislators in the 60 member assembly. Of them, 5,91,440 are male while 5,79,108 others are female who are waiting in queue to vote at 2156 booths to decide on the fate of 195 candidates. Polling began on a dull note in many booths in the semi urban areas. But most of the voters are expected to come out after 10 in the morning. Security forces are fanning in Lonkhum, Chungtia, Changtongya, Tuli, Ungma and Aliba...
SHILLONG: Amid watertight security arrangement, Meghalaya is all set to go to the polls to elect 59 legislators in the 60 member assembly on Tuesday. Altogether 1.8 million voters are gearing up to exercise their franchise to decide on the fate of 370 candidates who include 32 women at 3083 booths across the north eastern state. Polling officials have already reached their assigned booths with EVMs and other materials to conduct the voting from 7 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. Security forces are stepping up strict vigil in the nook and corner of the poll bound state to keep any poll related incidents of violence at bay. A three-cornered battle is in place in the state...
GUWAHATI: More stunning facts and figures seem to have surfaced on the job for cash scam in APSC during the term of Rakesh Paul forcing the police team to step up the investigation. The special operation unit of Dibrugarh police set up to deal with the nefarious scam is believed to have been preparing to arrest nearly two dozen ACS, APS and allied service officers for resorting to forgery to ensure section at the instance of Paul who have been languishing in jail along with 26 officers. Reliable sources told www.assamtimes.org that the forensic reports suggest a blatant forgery in the answer scripts of these candidates who were selected in 2016 before being recruited in various capacities...
MARCUS KANYAK KOHIMA: A mammoth security arrangement is in place in Nagaland as the north eastern state is going to the assembly polls on Tuesday. Polling officials, mostly, have reached their assigned booths by Monday noon with EVMs and other materials. Altogether 11,70,548 electorates are exercising their franchise to elect 59 legislators in the 60 member assembly. Of them, 5,91,440 are male while 5,79,108 others are female who are voting at 2156 booths to decide on the fate of 195 candidates across the state. The authorities have clamped 144 CrPc in Mokokchung from Sunday evening deploying 31 companies of CAPF and 10 state IR and NAP companies to ensure peaceful, free and fair...
Add new comment