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.
NEW DELHI: Chief minister Sarbanabda Sonowal had urged prime minister Narendra Modi to take up the Brahmaputra issue with Beijing where the mighty river that originates in Tibet now keeps flowing with muddy water. Sonowal who reached the capital onTursday evening had met Modi at his official residence for nearly half an hour is understood to have told the Prime minister that the river water has become infit for consumption
KOKRAJHAR: Caught in a grim poverty, a person committed suicide along with his kid in Kokrajhar on Tuesday.The shocking incident took place in Sakakati area where local villagers recovered the bodies of father and son were recovered in the morning.Talking to Assam Times, local residents said Chandan Mardi had a quarrel with his wife at night and went out with his 2 year old kid and fell down on the rail track allowing them to be crushed to dead.
GUWAHATI: The Income Tax department conducted a raid at the residence of Mahabir Jain in three places in the city of Guwahati on Tuesday. Over 200 IT officials and policemen reached the residence of the leading Guwahati based businessman and started the raid which ended only in the afternoon.
TINSUKIA: The police have picked up three youths in connection with the Bordumsa shoot out where ULFA-I rebels killed a local BJP leader and his son. According to information, identified as Diganta Saikia, Pranjal Maran and Navakanta Baruah were picked up during an intensive operation in the entire area.
GUWAHATI: The United Liberation Front of Asom(I) has owned up the responsibility of the Bordumsa incident where a villager and his son were shot dead on Monday evening. In a statement released to media on Tuesday, the rebel outfit charged Anteswar Mahanta and his son of spying for army against the organization. According to ULFA(I) the Mahantas were warned of their activities for three times. But they kept doing this. The rebels reiterated their zero tolerance to spying for army and enemies. ULFA(I) further makes it plain and simple that never they have approached the Mahantas for donation. A group of six armed rebels stormed into Mahanta’s house in the evening and dragged...
TINSUKIA: Security forces are fanning in the nook and corner of Bordumsa a day after suspected ULFA-I shot dead a villager and his son triggering anger across the state. Police, army and para military forces are conducting combing operation in some vulnerable areas in search of the rebels who killed Anteswar Mahanta and his son in the evening. Security forces have cordoned off a huge area to nab the six gunmen who are believed to have been hiding somewhere along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. Shock and anger grip thr entire area as many parties, organizations and individuals have condemned the inhuman killing on Mahanta and his son who married two months back.
GUWAHATI:Properties worth several crores have been reduced to ashes when a ravaging fire broke out in Fancy Bazar in Guwahati on Tuesday. The incident took place at a goodwon which caught fire early in the morning. The initial reason is said to be electric short circuit. Five fire fighters took nearly three hours to bring the situation under control. Police investigation is going on and the owner said the real extent of damage has yet to be ascertained.
Guwahati: Great freedom fighter and former Lt of Indian National Army (INA), Umesh Chandra Dev Choudhury was remembered on Monday (11 December 2017)by the Assam branch of All India Patriotic Forum (AIPF) at Guwahati Press Club. Various speakers paid tributes to the INA soldier on the occasion of his birth centenary. The patriot from Patacharkuchi locality of Assam was engaged with various battles of India’s freedom struggle under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the Indo-Burma (now known as Myanmar) border. The speakers included Dhirendra Nath Chakrabarty, Ajay Dutta, Rupam Barua, Prafulla Pran Mahanta, Jagadindra Raichoudhuri, Utpal Dutta, Kailash Sarma, Akhil Barua, Rubee...
GUWAHATI: The All Assam Students Union has strongly condemned the Tinsukia shoot out where suspected ULFA-I rebels shot dead a villager and his son who was a former AASU leader. Talking to Assam Times over telephone, AASU leaders said they dont have proper word to condemn this hineous attack on common people. " We condemn this incident and demand arrest of the perpetrators immediate," said an AASU leader over telephone from Guwahati.
GUWAHATI: The NSCN-IM rebels based in Arunachal Pradesh are believed to have detained two top ULFA-I counterparts in Changlang district for alleged extortion drive in their territory. According to sources, the pro talks Naga rebels who have been camping inside the Namdapha forest held them to detain for several hours from Sunday night charging the duo with extorting money in the neighbouring state where they are not authorized. One of the ULFA-I doves is said to be Bagh Asom, a close aide of C-in-C Paresh Baruah who is learnt to have been talking to the Naga rebel leaders to ensure their safe release.
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