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 Saturday (29 April) evening OPD clinic at Guwahati Press Club was conducted by the city based Dispur Hospitals. Dr Udayan Saikia from the healthcare institution offered free consultations to over 30 participants, where they also got the opportunity to check their weight, sugar and blood pressure. Health workers Sonmani Dutta (nurse) and Biswajit Das (technician) assisted the physician to conduct the camp. The next camp under the ‘Evening with a Doctor’ series on 6 May will be graced by Apollo Chennai Hospital’s senior gynecologist Dr A Vinutha. Open for lady members of the press club along with the spouses (also daughters) of media persons, the camp will begin at 4 pm and continue till...
The ULFA(I) rebels camping at an undisclosed dense jungle celebrated Rongali Bihu recently amid the three decade old armed struggle for a sovereign Assam. The video the outfits sent to Assam Times has a glimpse of the much-vaunted Rongali Bihu celebration inside their camp in full view of their military head Paresh Baruah. With drum on their shoulders, cymbals and other traditional Assamese instruments in their hands, the rebels performed Bihu huchori with the songs of liberation in their lips. Dressed in traditional attire, the lady cadres and leaders could not resist the temptation and started dancing in the huchori where their children kept watching the festival. “After all they are...
The Assam police on Friday suspended Anjan Bora three days after the police officer dropped a bombshell against a BJP MLA alleging her involvement in flash trade in Dispur triggering statewide and acrimony. Dispur police station, has further registered a case against Bora on Thursday hours after Inspector General of Police Pradip Haloi who holds the charge of administration on Thursday moved CID registering a case against him alleging an uncharitable charge against the lady legislator. Sources confirmed that Bora has been placed under suspension during period of investigation by CID who would seek evidence from him to substantiate the allegations. Bora, who is...
Noted educationist and author Dilip Kumar Baruah breathed his life following a brief illness' in Guwahati on Friday descending a pall of gloom across the state. He was 73. Baruah, who enjoyed a brilliant academic career completed his post graduate from Delhi University in Economics and joined Cotton College. Later, he retired as principal of the country’s premier college. An author Barua is also enjoyed no less veneration as quizmaster. His colleagues, friends, students and individuals thronged his house in the city as soon as the news of his sudden death spread like wildfire in the morning.
The city based Dispur Hospitals will conduct the next evening OPD clinic at Guwahati Press Club on 29 April. Dr Udayan Saikia from the acclaimed hospital will be available for free consultations to the members of GPC along with their dependants. The participants in the camp, starting at 4 pm on Saturday, will also get the opportunity to check their weight, blood pressure and sugar. The health camp, organised under the series of ‘Evening with a Doctor’ programs, will be supervised by Dispur Hospitals’ public relation officer Ujjal Saikia.
The Assam police on Thursday booked Anjan Bora a day after the police officer dropped a bombshell against a BJP MLA alleging her involvement in flash trade in Dispur triggering statewide and acrimony. Bora, the deputy commandant with a police force in Karbi Anglong district in his Facebook status made this sensational allegations without naming the ruling party legislartor. Inspector General of Police Pradip Haloi who holds the charge of administration on Thursday moved CID registering a case against Bora alleging an uncharitable charge against the lady legislator. Sources told Assam Times that Bora us likely to be placed under suspension during period of investigation by CID...
A huge storm wreaked no less havoc across Assam rendering hundreds homeless apart from disrupting surface communication network on Wednesday. Accompanied by heavy downpour the stormed lashed many places in the evening where at least 800 huts and houses were damaged. The uprooted trees in many places blocked the roads snapping electric and telephone lines within half an hour. The worst hit areas include Barpeta, Kamrup, Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivas agar, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji. Some other areas were swept on Tuesday night. Works are in progress to restore telephone and electricity. But it would take time in view of the huge damaged caused by the devastating storm.
More than 80 lakh people in Assam will miss their places in the updated NRC as panchayat certificate and ration cards would be of no use to prove the citizenship in the state where immigration poses a serious threat to the indigenous lot. This was more or less of what Aabhijeet Sharma said when the APW chairman was holding a press conference in Guwahati on Wednesday. Sarma said the strong possibility emerged after the Gauhati High Court and Supreme Court have categorically rejected panchayat certificate and ration card as supportive documents to prove citizenship in the ongoing process. He blamed the cabinet sub committee set up by the erstwhile Congress government which after...
The Centre is holding a tripartite meeting with Assam Government and All Assam Students Union to discuss the Assam Accord implementation amid the move to amend the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955 that would virtually spoil the spirit of the historic pact reached three decades ago to detect and deport the illegal settlers who came to the state after 1971. Led by Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya, the five member delegation began the talks at the North Block in New Delhi from 12 noon with Union home minister Rajnath Singh in presence of chief minister Sarbanabda Sonowal. Detection and deportation of the illegal Bangladeshi settlers is not figuring the talks since the Centre wants to deport only the...
Prime minister Narendra Modi will be on a day long visit to Assam on May 24 a year after BJP came to power with Sarbananda Sonowal as chief minister. During his day long visit, Modi will be opening the much awaited Dhola-Sadiya bridge, the largest bridge in the country. This would be followed by his presence at the huge rally to mark the first anniversary of the BJP led government in the state. Party president Amit Shah along with union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari will also attend the functions.
Add new comment