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 All Assam Students Union on Wednesday served 12 hour ultimatum to Sarbananda Sonowal nab Soobodh Biswas, the main culprit behind the Silapothar clash where at least 10 AASU activists sustained injury at an attack NIBBUS protestors on Monday. From a huge rally in Dhemaji, the AASU in rank and file warned that they could go to any extent if the chief minister fails to ensure arrest of the NIBBUS leader whose speech incited the violence where the protestors vandalized the local AASU office. Before serving the ultimatum the AASU-organized rally was joined by several thousands of school and college students apart from many local organizations and individuals. Speakers after speakers made...
Leading wildlife NGOs working in and around Kaziranga National Park today refuted allegations made by International Organisations of using excessive force at Kaziranga National Park by the park authorities to protect the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros. Aaranyak, Assam Elephant Foundation, BHUMI, Wildlife Trust of India and The Corbett Foundation are of the opinion that the pressure on rhino poaching in and around Kaziranga by well organised groups is ever increasing and as such the State Government has to enhance protection measures to ensure the long term survival of the pride of Assam, The Rhino. India is a democratic country and its elected leadership knows very well how much and...
Hundreds of students union activists from AASU,Goria Maria Desi Jatiya Parishad and common publics join hands in the protest torch rally carried out in Kokrajhar town in protest against the attack on the AASU office at Shilapothar in Dhemaji district on Monday which the speakers called “an attack on the Assamese”.The protest rally was started from Rashmela ground via RNB Road,DC office,Vivekananda Road,fly over and concluded at the same point,which organised by Kokrajhar district unit of AASU and was participated from Goria Maria Desi Jatiya Parishad demanding immediate arrests of the miscreants involved in the clash.Nabajyoti Roy, assistant general secretary,AASU who organized the rally...
For Dhemaji police, the most wanted man of the hour is none but Subudh Biswas in connection with the Silapothar clash that rattled Assam. In a public notification, the police on Tuesday made an open appeal to the people to inform the whereabouts of the NIBBUS president who in his speech in the huge rally incited violence in Silapothar on Monday. Policemen probing the clash have confirmed that Biswas, who has close association with RSS and BJP is absconding. The moment the clash erupted, Biswas vanished from the spot and so far he is traceless. Initially, BJP leaders claimed that Biswas is not in any way associated with the party. But a few photographs have, beyond doubt, have proved the...
Defying flag march by army people thronged in thousands in Silapothar on Tuesday a day after the huge area in Dhemaji was rocked by a clash Bangala-speaking Hindu activists with some local residents where an AASU office was vandalized.Many people representing the various groups and organizations held a huge rally in protest against the attack on the AASU office which the speakers called “an attack on the Assamese”.AASU leaders who organized the rally made it plain and simple that the immigrants must quit Assam irrespective of Hindu or Muslim. They further demanded immediate arrest of the miscreants involved in the clash.Speakers after speakers in the rally urged the indigenous people to...
The All Bodo Students Union(ABSU) strongly condemned attacked on AASU office at Shilapothar of Dhemaji district and arrests all the culprits involved with vandalism to AASU office and properties. Promod Boro, president and Kwrwmdao Wary,secretary of ABSU,in a press statemnet said the ABSU,after observation of the incidence of violence by the demonstrations at Shilapothar in Dhemaji district and vandalism done to AASU office, through the media and local ABSU volunteers report, which occurred on Monday in the wee hours of the day.The students union strongly condemn and demanded the administration must apprehend all the culprits involved in such act of vandalism to AASU office and...
The Silapothar clash suggests, beyond doubt, a sharp fall in the dominance of the indigenous people and if the disturbing trend is allowed to continue the Assamese ad a nation would be reduced to minority by 2040. This was more or less of what Upamanyu Hazarika said when he reacted to the Monday’s incident in Silapothar where some goons after holding a rally against the D voter tag vandalized a local AASU office in the evening. Talking to reporters in Delhi on Tuesday, the Prabojon Vurodhi Manch convener said these incidents would take place at regular intervals. Hazarika said granting citizenship to the immigrants is a gross injustice to the indigenous people which is not allowed...
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal has ordered a high level probe into the Silapothar incident where some protesters demanding an end to the D voter tag turned violence and vandalised a local AASU office.Talking to reporter in Guwahati on Tuesday, Sonowal said additional chief secretary VK Pyarilal will probe into it who would submit his findings within a month and that the culprit would get exemplary punishment.Calling it an unfortunate incident, the chief minister said that the incident is a threat to the age old bonhomie and brotherhood among the various tribes and groups in both the Brahmaputra and Barak Valley.Senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that those responsible...
Dhemaji police have arrested nine youths charging them with vandalizing a local AASU office in Silapothar on Monday.Police picked them up from different places early in the morning. Operation is on yo nab twelve others who are absconding.Meanwhile, AASU handed over a list of 22 people to police holding them responsible for the clash which broke out after an organization held a rally demanding refugee status yo the Hindu immigrants and amendment of the Indian Citizenship Act,1955.
Hours after the clash in Silapothar chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal asked the police to find out the culprits responsible for it where a local AASU office was ransacked after a huge rally organized to demand removal of D voter tags they had in their names.DGP Mukesh Sahay has been closely monitoring the situation and additional security forces have been deployed to deal with the possible our break of untowered incident.
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