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.
The sensation murder of Sweta Agarwalla is no longer a mystery now. The person that took her life was none other than Govind Singhal who forcibly took the KC Das Commerce College girl to his house as she was on her way back to her house in the afternoon. During police interrogation Govind, a colleague intern of a firm confessed to have hit her on the wall before she died. Then he along with his mother and sister poured kerosene on her body to destroy evidence and planned to depart the city. Govind was angry with her when she has been repeatedly refusing to be with him. On the other hand, many organizations and individuals have mounted pressure on the authority to ensure capital...
Kokrajhar: Only a few days are left to publish the NRC draft. The government and contractual employees deployed in the statewide operation have stepped up the verification process in BTAD areas along with other parts of the state. Many local organizations are also coming out to help the employees and the people. The mood is taking a comfortable turn as soon as the Supreme Court asked the authority to publish the draft by December 31 and validating the panchayat papers as supporting documents. Goria Maria Deshi Jatiya Parishad, ABMSU hailed the Supreme Courts order to use panchayat certificate in the NRC update as supporting document. NRC officials, who are...
TANGLA: The sericulture exhibition cum demonstration programme concluded in Udalguri with all success. Jointly rganised by Directorate of Sericulture BTC and Central Silk Board for the silk worm rearers of Baksa, Darrang and Udalguri, the event drew huge response at all levels. BTC EM of the sericulture Deven Boro, opened the event to be graced by former director of central silk board ,Dr. Kanika Trivedi lauded the efforts of BTAD districts specifically Udalguri which has been excelling as a model district in the entire region not only in eri and muga but also in mulberry silk production. Minister of State for PHE and Food and Civil Supply,Rihon Daimari formally...
KOHIMA: In the event of any natural calamity in Nagaland, the Eastern Air Command, one of the five operational commands of the Indian Air Force, will join the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) to effectively respond to incidents with Air Force personnel and other resources like well-equipped helicopters for disaster rescue operations. For this, both the concerned parties will work out comprehensive disaster management plans, helibases and strategic partnerships to make a greater impact on relief efforts including supplies of foods, safe drinking water, medicines and other materials to civilian population in tragedy. These issues...
PASIGHAT: The Siang water is not at all fit for human consumption. Turbidity NTU is 482 while Iron as Fe, mg/l is 1.65 which are found to be beyond permissible limit. This was what the findings of the water testing report of the State Water Quality Testing Laboratory (SWQTL), under the Chief Engineer (Sanitation) PHE & WS department in Itanagar submitted the water testing report of Siang River based on the water sample collected and sent on last week. Experts say at normal levels, iron is not deadly to any aquatic animals but unusually high amounts of iron exist in water may lead to adverse changes in colour, odour and taste of water and has negative effects on aquatic populations...
KOKRAJHAR: Speeding trains crushed to death a 50 year old woman near Kokrajhar rail station in morning on Wednesday. But the body which police recovered in the morning remained unidentified.
Kokrajhar: Despite counter insurgency operations, rebels are moving without any hindrance in BTAD areas if repeated encounters, arrest of NDFB(S) are any indication. · Security forces claimed to have arrested two NDFB-S rebels during a combing operation in Kokrajhar on Wednesday. Acting on some inputs army, police and para military forces launched a combing operation inside the dense jungle of · Haltugaon forest area near Jharbari where two rebels were caught. Identified as Konjit Basumatary alias B Khamdw and Swmkwr Basumatary they confessed to have been working for NDFB(S). A...
KOKRAJHAR: The Assam Santhali Students Union on Tuesday staged dharna in Kokrajhar raising their demand for granting ST status. Nearly 200 Santhali students thronged Kokrajhar and staged a two hour long demonstration raising a slow of demands in front of Kokrajhar DC Office premises. Talking to Assam Times the protesting leaders said,"without ST status it would be difficult for them to progress. We want ST status to be uplifted. If ignored we have no option but to launch a statewide agitation." Later, they submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister through the Kokrajhar DC highlighting their long standing demands.
GUWAHATI:Yet another sensational murder case in Guwahati sends no less shock and anger across the state on Tuesday. The victim is a college girl who was kidnapped by a youth to be killed in his house in the heart of the city as she refused to be with him. Sweta Singh, the KC Das College student went missing on Monday on her way back to home from college. She was allegedly kidnapped by Govind Singh in Bharalumukh area where he killed her following a quarrel at his house. Then she was set on fire to destroy evidence. Acting on a complaint from Sweta' father, police recovered thr charred body and arrested the youth, his mother and another whom a local court in the city remanded to five days...
KOKRAJHAR: Security forces claimed to have captured a dreadedNDFB-S rebel in Baksa district of BTAD on Tuesday. Identified as Ratan Narzary, he was caught in Goreswar as he was travelling on a public bus to Bangalipara. Interrogation is going on. Police further claimed to have seized a pistol from his possession.
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