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: In yet another case of secret killing rerun, miscreants killed a priest after he was invited with a phone call in Chirang district on Saturday. According to information, Pradeep Upadhyay, a local resident of Ulubari went out after he received a call in the evening. But he never returned. Local residents spotted the body of the priest inside a nearyby jungle in the morning. Police investigation is going on. Various organizations and individuals have condemned the incident and demand judicial probe to ascertain the circumstance.
GUWAHATI: The Assam Government claimed to have received a hefty Rs 70,000 crore investment at the end of the global investors’ summit in Guwahati on Sunday. Talking to media government officials say investment are set to pour in a number of vital sectors which include petroleum, telecom, health and tourism. “We have struck initial 200 deal with the investors from home and abroad to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore,” said an official. He said tourism sector alone is set to get a huge boost with a total investment proposal of Rs 2,347 crore.
DUDHNOI: Police on Sunday have arrested three persons a day after they allegedly shot at a coal trader in Jogighopa in Goalpara district on Saturday. Hours after the coal trader Azmul Haque sustained injury in shoot out at Kabaitary at night policemen started investigation and arrested the trio. A team of senior police officials has been interrogating the arrested persons in this connection. Stunning revelations are believed to have surface pertaining to the nefarious illegal coal trade in the state where a section of political leaders and police top guns are involved.
GUWAHATI: DoNER minister Jitendra Singh said the global investment summit in Guwahati will bring the entire Northeast into the world focus which opens new gateways of trade within the region as well as outside the region, with ASEAN nations. Briefing the media in the sidelines of the summit on Saturday Singh said, the event of such magnitude has been, in the past, usually held in some of the major cosmopolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. It is, therefore, a great breakthrough in holding a brainstorming business summit. Singh said the conclusions drawn by the different sessions being held over two days will be seriously studied and accordingly followed...
GUWAHATI: In a major boost on the economic front of Assam, the state government inked as many as 176 initial agreements after prime minister Narendra Modi opened the global investment summit in Guwahati on Saturday. The packs involving Rs65,186 crore were signed on behalf of 160 firms on the day one and most these investment would come for tea, health, hotel, telecom, oil and gas sectors. ONGC announced Rs13,000 crore investment while Oil India Ltd has promised Rs10,000 crore. Numaligarh Refinery Ltd was keen to invest Rs3,410 crore. Tata joins the investment with an elaborate cancer care programme in 15 districts with Rs2,000 crore investment....
BY MH AHMED MANCACHAR: A huge land allotment scam seems to have surfaced in Mancachar where the role of a block development officer has raised no less doubt among the people who wants a thorough probe into the allegation. The BDO in question is Rashul Haque attached to Fekamari who is learnt to have allocated a plot belonging to the super market bus stand to four persons after he along with a section of local panchayat officials received money as bribe. Talking to Assam Times, South Salmara Zila Unnayan Parishad president Akher Amin said the BDO and his associates have received a hefty amount of money to the tune of ₹15 lakh as bribe for land allotment. He said after she received a...
BOBBETA GOGOI& RC SAIKIA GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country’s engine of growth would gather more steam as the north east Indian state of Assam is going to beckon more global investors. Opening the two days global investors’ summit in Guwahati on Saturday, the prime minister said the event will help the north eastern region and its people see the face of development in a balanced manner. He called ‘Advantage Assam: India’s Expressway to ASEAN’ an appropriate one to spread a huge message to the world. He said,” it is more than a statement. In fact it is a comprehensive vision.” The Prime Minister observed that the entire northeastern region of eight states is...
RISHAB SAIKIA GUWAHATI: Reliance on Saturday promised a heft Rs 2500 crore investment in Assam in a number of sectors fetching huge hopes for nearly one lakh people in the premier north eastern state. In his speech at the two days global investment summit in Guwahati on Satrday, Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani said he was keen to invest the entire amount in retail, petroleum, telecom, tourism and sports which would require huge manpower within the next three years. Ambani further promised to set up new offices 145 district and sub divisional headquarters during this period to ensure sustainable income for around 20,000 people.
BY BOBBETA GOGOI GUWAHATI: In yet another boost for Assam’s economic front the Indian Oil Corporation on Saturday evinces keen interest to invest Rs 3,400 crore in the north eastern state. Top IOC officials who are attending the global investors summit said that the public sector unit will invest the entire amount to set up new unit to boost the operations. “We are striking a deal with the Assam government by Sunday—just before the end of the two days summit in Guwahati. The entire amount would be invested within the next five years,” said a top OIL official. He said,” we will further improve the capacities of the LPG bottling plants in Guwahati and Silchar. This would be in...
BOBBETA GOGOI GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister CM Sonowal vows to help the north eastern state emerge yet another hot destination for the global investors cross the globe. In his address at the opening session of the two days Global Investors Summit in Guwahati on Saturday, Sonowal said since he took over as the chief minister, he has been trying to firmly deal with cancerous corruption and to promote the work culture. Flanked by any top investors from the country and abroad, Sonowal said, “Advantage Assam' is a medium of realising Assam in every sector. It is an effort to bring the focus to the advantages of the state.” The Assam Government and Federation of Indian Chambers...
Add new comment