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: Chirang additional district magistrate Sanjeev Kumar Sharma will probe into the February 4 encounter of security forces with NDFB(S) where a rebel was killed..The gun fight took place at Belguri in Amguri where NDFB(S) cadre namely Jordan Narzary (27) @ N. Jaolang, son of Lt. Thoila Narzary of village No. 1 Oxiguri (Dwikhorguri) was neutralised.In the order, he has been asked to conduct the enquiry as per the latest NHRC guidelines and submit report within thirty days.
KOKRAJHAR: In view of urgency in the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the district, the Kokrajhar district magistrate Niranjan Baruah has promulgated U/S 144/144-A Cr.P.C. This promulgation is prohibiting assembly of five or more persons, taking out processions, shouting slogans, holding meetings, rallies, dharnas and demonstration in any publicplaces, pillion riding on two wheelers, carrying and brandishing of weapons, fire arms and ammunitions, bow and arrows and any other hazardous tools, procurement, storage, sale and purchase of crackers or fire-work and use of microphones at outdoor without permission within the district. However, two-wheeler riders carrying women...
NEW DELHI: Even after Dispur moved Delhi asking for steps to revive the HPC mills in Silchar and Jagiroad, the Centre has stepped up the process to privatize the industries triggering a hail of protest across the state. The process to hand over the abandoned mills to the private parties came to light when an AASU delegation called on heavy industry minister Anant Geete in New Delhi on Wednesday. The minister said both the mills would get a fresh lease of life only after the mills are handed over to the private parties. Opposition parties along with many other organizations are dead opposed to the idea to privatize the industries which faced closure a couple of months...
GUWAHATI: The Guwahati police have arrested nine Assam Engineering College students on Wednesday hours after they vandalized a wedding ceremony bereft of any reason triggering anger in the entire capital city where the role of the principal has come in for sharp criticism. Acting on a complaint lodged by a family who threw the wedding ceremony in Jalukbari on Tuesday midnight, police have picked up Gautam Moyan, Diganta Nath, Harshajit Sharma, Subram Prakash Kalita and Manash Baishya, Mrinmoy Chakraborty, Hirak Jyoti Nath, Shivam Karmakar, Manash Pratim Sharma charging them with vandalizing the ceremony. Investigators told www.assamtimes.org that these students were...
SHILLONG: Conrad K. Sangma promised a slew of measures to help the people see a resurgent Meghalaya as the NPP president addressed a series of poll rally in the north eastern state on Tuesday. Sangma observed that the people have given Congress enough time and opportunity. But the people in power have been failing to deliver the good much to their utter disappointment. He said, "the political currents have changed in Meghalaya and people have a desire for a change and the change will happen. People have realised that in Congress party there is no democracy as Mukul have turned Congress to be a Mukul Party", he said. In his speech at Shallang, he slammed Mukul Sangma and his...
TUENSANG: Nagaland electioneering heat and dust gathers momentum with NPF and NDPP engaged in a bitter blame game. NDPP has called NPF a gang of betrayers while the ruling party has asked the people not to repose faith on the newly floated party. NPF leader and Chief Minister TR Zeliang slammed Neiphu Rio and NDPP alleging lack of agenda to serve the restive state. Addressing a few poll rallies in Mon, Longwa and Aboi under Mon district on Tuesday, Zeliang said, “Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) as a Party engaged in 'politics without agenda.” He said, 'the Manifesto of NDPP is TR Zeliang as Rio has been talking only about me and nothing...
GUWAHATI: The Dibrugarh police probing the APSC scam on Tuesday arrested two more officers charging the duo with resorting to unfair means to ensure selection in the civil service examination. The special operation unit housed in Guwahati arrested Bikash Kumar Pincha, tax superintendent from Dhubri and his Morigaon counterpart Manash Pratim Haloi after interrogating six hours in this connection. They are expected to be produced before the special court on Wednesday morning seeking them in their demand. Notably, Pinch is the husband of Nishamoni Deka whom police arrested and sent to the Guwahati Central Jail in the same APSC scam.
SHILLONG: Amid shock and anger hundreds of people in Shilling took to the streets on Tuesday evening to pay tribute to Jonathone N Sangma and five others who lost their lives in the rebel attack in William Nagar on Sunday night. The participating people, mostly, lit up candle praying for eternal peace of the departed NCP leader along with his two associates and two security guards who were killed in attack in Samad as they were on their way back to home after holding a poll rally. “We are very shocked. We don't have any word to tell you the amount of shock in us. Let's pray for eternal peace of the departed souls,” said Hibbu D Shira, a school teacher in the capital city of Shillong...
TURA: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the people Meghalaya have already made up their minds to give his party yet another term in the upcoming assembly polls. Addressing a huge poll rally in the Garo hills on Tuesday, Gandhi said the country and millions of its people have, indeed, no choice but to go with Congress since the peoples’ party is teeming with the people of all walks of life. Stability is what the need of the hour for Meghalaya to allow the engine of sustainable to run, said the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family. According to Gandhi, the voters in the poll bound north eastern state are well prepared to go with the ruling party since they have assessed and evaluated the...
NEW DELHI: The process to update NRC in Assam will be further expedited as the Supreme Court has asked the authority to publish the final draft on June 30.A division bench of the country’s top court comprising Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Narimon on Tuesday said that the second draft should be published on May 31. The final draft was asked to be published on June 30.The first NRC draft was published on December 31, 2017. The court further declined to change Pratik Hajela as state NRC coordinator and also to appoint one more person inthe same capacity.
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