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.
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu has ordered a thorough probe into the Tezu incident on Monday where an irrate mob lynched two rape accused from Assam after dragging out the duo from police custody. The chief minister has asked the police authority to institute an inquiry into the incident and to submit the findings by the next seven days. On the other hand, Tezu SP has been transferred while the Tezu police station OC along with an sub inspector and a constable have been suspended. Security forces are fanning in the nook and corner of the town after the authority promulgated 144 CrPC prohibiting gathering of people in the town. The rape accused duo who were caught...
JAGIROAD: Trouble awaits Rockybul Hussain after the Morigaon police booked the Samoguri legislator for allegedly amassing properties beyond his known source of income. The police have registered a case against the former minister bearing No 556/18 acting on a complaint filed by Raju Mahanta on behalf of a non governmental organization Sahai, alleging that he has procured properties worth an astronomical amount of money in the undivided Nagaon district when he was Tarun Gogoi's cabinet colleague. The complaint referred to the recent disclosure by Hussain's party man Anil Raja who alleged that during his stint as minister he made huge amount of money resorting to corruption much to the...
PRASENJIT SAHA AGARTALA: The ruling CPM in Tripura has fielded Pallab Debverma in Charilam by polls slated for mid March. The party announced the name on Monday in the place of Ramendra Debverma who died of cardiac ailment on February 12 forcing the Election Commission to countermand the polling till mid March. The north eastern state has gone to the assembly polls in 59 constituencies on Sunday recording 89% turn out. Vote counting is slated for March 3 from 8 in the morning simultaneously with Meghalaya and Nagaland.
GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister's vigilance and anti corruption cell on Monday questioned Ranjit Dutta in connection with graft charges. The investigators came to Dutta in Dispur and questioned him on the confessional statements they extracted from the arrested irtigation official Kujendra Doley who was arrested last year for recovering a huge amount of cash from his office. His name was caught in the controversy after the investigators cash from Doley. In his confessional statement, Doley was understood to have named the minister forcing the authority to bring Dutta under the ambit of the investigation. Opposition party MLAs on last week demanded Dutta's interrogation to unearth...
ITANAGAR:An irate mob in Arunachal Pradesh lynched two people from Assam on Monday a week after they allegedly gangraped and killed a five year old girl. The sensational incident took place in Tezu in the morning where people in large number, basically from Namgo Mismi village, stormed into the Centre Point police station and dragged out of it the rape accused duo and beaten up before setting them on fire pouring petrol in full view of the police. According to allegation, the police caught the duo on Sunday who were believed to have admitted to the double crime. They gangraped the minor and murdered her before dumping the body inside a tea bush on February 12 to be recovered two days...
PRASENJIT SAHA AGARTALA: Fresh controversy erupts over Himanta Biswa Sarma inTripura a day after the north eastern state has gone to the assembly polls in 59 constituencies. The ruling CMP leaders claimed to have seen the Assam minister and BJP’s poll in charge moving openly even before the end of polling on Sunday. In a written complaint lodged before the Chief Election Officer in Agartala the ruling party Secretary Bijan Dhar said that Sarma was found at Agartala on the day of poll at 3.55 PM when the voting was not concluded in many of the constituencies.” The complaint further reads,”He has been seen in the 4-Barjala (SC) constituency roaming from BJP poling booths offices...
SHILLONG:Five people including a poll candidate in Meghalaya died in a powerful explosion in the poll bound north eastern state on Sunday. According to information, suspected GNLA rebels exploded the bomb at Samanda at 7.30 in the evening where NCP candidate from Williamnagar Jonathone N Sangma along with two security guards and three others died on the spot. Sangma, was believed to have received threat from the rebel outfit as he filed nomination papers. Even the rebel warned the voters' of dire consequences if Sangma was voted to power. The bomb exploded when Sangma was back to his home on a Scorpio after attending a poll rally.
Kokrajhar: Over 200 patients from different parts in BTAD areas claimed to have been benefitted as they attended a free medical camp in Kokrajhar on Sunday. Organized by Dr Malay’s Hospital Siliguri,West Bengal to provide medical facility and treatment among patients in the region thus, got good response. Patients,who are suffering from hypertension, high blood pressure, brain stroke patients and spinal patients checked up their health issues and took medical services from the doctors. Dr Malay Chakraborty,prominent neurologist from Siliguri offered his services to the patients.The camp has been aiming to create awareness on healthy health among citizens in the region,which are...
PRASENJIT SAHA AGARTALA: A CPM worker sustained serious injury when two group of political parties clashed with each other on Sunday when the north eastern state was going to the assembly polls in 59 constituencies. The clash broke out at Golaghati area in Dayaram para in the afternoon. According to allegations, a group of BJP workers suddenly sprang upon their CPM counterparts where he sustained serious injury. Identified as Pulin Bardhan, he was rushed to the hospital where he is battling with death.
PRASENJIT SAHA AGARTALA: Polling is over in Tripura. The fate of 292 candidates contesting for 59 out of 60 assembly seats are sealed in EVMs who would be opened for counting on March 3. The Election Commission is expected to announce the initial turn out in the evening while the real figure will be published by Monday since the EVMs have yet to reach the strong rooms.Many voters were seen waiting in queue till 4 in the afternoon to exercise their franchise suggesting a huge turn out in the assembly polling in 3 417 booths which started at 7 in the afternoon. Many poll candidates were seen visiting the booths amid tight security which was why, the entire exercise passed off by and large...
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