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.
Holi festivity grips Assam to mark the advent of the spring with pomp and gaiety on Sunday. Revellers keep visiting the households splashing various colours from morning.The sporting Children on the streets are playing holi with the passer byes to mark the occasion.The temples and ma that's across the state are teeming with the devotees to share the joy of the festival of colour. Doul Govinda temples in North Guwahati and Barpeta Satra pulled huge crowd on the occasion.Thousands of people are participating in the huge procession which got underway in Barpeta on Sunday.The Assam government has announced holiday on this occasion on Monday.
Amid indefinite curfew and flag march by army two incidents of police firing on Sunday escalated no less tension in Silapothar.Police resorted firing as they spotted two youths who were believed to have tried to touch houses in Palpoti area. Police caught the motor cycle born youths and seized a bottle of patron from their possession. Interrogation is going on.Another police firing incident took place in Bamgaon area where police picked up two youths who were moving defying the curfew. The duo were believed to have come to strike.An indefinite curfew has paralyzed normal life in Silapothar from Friday. The curfew had been clamped in the area after miscreants torched three shops in the wee...
The All Assam Students Union threatens to call 100 hour statewide bandh alleging the failure to arrest Soobodh Biswas, who took the alleged role in the Silapothar incident. Talking to Assam Times, AASU leaders said that they are finalizing the bandh call in a day or two to mount pressure on the government to nab Biswas who is on the run. “We served 12 hour ultimatum which expired with utter failure. He is still remaining untouched. We won't allow it to happen,” said an AASU leader in Dhemaji. Another local AASU leader said,” only issuing a public appeal to help arrest this culprit, police cant wash their hands off. He must be arrested. Otherwise, we are taking more and more extreme step...
Amid an aroused controversy over the move to roll out red carpet for the Hindu immigrants by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955, the Prabajan Virodhi Manch demands a clear cut mechanism to save the indigenous people from being minority in the own abode by 2040.In a statement issued in Guwahati on Friday, convener of the anti-immigrant organization, Upamanyu Hazarika said the set of policies which are still in force would not help Assam and it's people, in any way, to detect and deport the immigrants.He further thanked BPF MP B Daimary, ABSU president Pramod Bodo who in their statements strongly advocated early detection and deportation of the immigrants to safeguard the rights and identity...
Amid non stopped protest cross the state over the Silapothar clash, AIUDF president Badaruddin Ajmal blamed it all on the Government for the attack on the AASU office. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Ajmal alleged that without active help and hint of support from the government, it was quite impossible for the NBBUSS workers to vandalize the AASU office. He further charged the government with keeping the main culprit Soobodh Biswas at an undisclosed location.
Criminal activities have become the order of the day in some pockets along the Assam-Meghalaya inter state border much to the major worries of the people dwelling in the border areas for decades. Not only the rebel outfits, a section of criminals start unleashing no less terror in the form of kidnapping and extortion.Assam and Meghalaya police jointly rescued a girl and her mother in South Garo hills during an operation on Thursday giving a sigh of relief to a family.The duo were rescued on Thursday during an intensified joint operation along the Assam-Meghalaya inter state border.The local resident of Nokatgre in South Garo Hills district were kidnapped by miscreants as they were on...
Normal life remains heavily disrupted in Dibrugarh on Friday following the 12 hour long bandh in protest against the Silapothar incident where NBBUSS workers attacked a local AASU office on Monday.Roads in the entire district wore a desert look where all vehicles were off. All shops and markers, schools and colleges, banks and offices remained closed under the impact of the bandh.A section of bandh supporters enforced the bandh by burning tyre on the streets and burnt the effigy of Soobodh Biswas who is on the run.The government,however, announced Rs 1 lakh reward if his where about is informed to police.
Northeast’s well-known healthcare institution Dispur Hospitals, along with numerous health conscious organizations across the globe, today (9 March 2017) observed the World Kidney Day with various programs including a free health camp at the hospital premises. With an aim to increase public awareness about a healthy lifestyle paving the way to keep the kidneys fit, a walkathon was organized at the Ganeshguri locality of the pre-historic city in the morning hours. Journalist Nava Thakuria in presence of Dr Jayanta Bardoloi, managing director of Dispur Hospitals flagged off the program. It may be noted that the kidney day is observed globally on 2nd Thursday of March every year. It started...
The United Liberation Front of Asom (I) demands examplery punishment of those who were involved in the recent attack on local AASU office in Silapothar. Talking to a section of television channels over telephone from an undisclosed location, C-in-C Paresh Baruah said the government bring the perpetrators to Assam to face the court of the people.He said,” this is now longer an issue with AASU. It is an attack on the Assamese. Nobody should be spared. Enough us enough.”Baruah further urged all parties, organizations and indivi
A huge protest rally in Dhemaji has asked the government to immediately nab Soobodh Biswas, the main culprit behind the clash in Silapithar where some persons of doubtful integrity attached a local AASU office triggering statewide anger and protest.Spearheaded by AASU and joined by many organizations the huge rally started from the Dhemaji Court Field before it covered the entire town where the protesters threatened to go to any extent if the government fails to arrest the NIBUSS leader whose fiery speech allegedly incited the orgy of violence where nine AASU activists sustained injury.The participating students and leaders further asked the Centre nit to proceed with the step to amend the...
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