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.
An uneasy calm has forced Dhemaji district administration to conduct army’s flag march in Silapothar a day after a group clash where a section of protesters vandalised a local AASU office on Monday.Army, police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in the huge area in firmly deal with the fresh orgy of clashes.Dhemaji DC and SP have been monitoring the situation where army conducted flag march in the area to make people confined to their houses.Some unidentified miscreants attacked many vehicles on the streets in the outskirt of Silapothar town where an organization held a huge rally demanding the D voter tags in their names alleging that many genuine Indians have been facing...
Stunned by the Silapothar clash, AASU leadership vow to go all out against the immigrants irrespective of religion. Talking to reporters after the incident advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya said under no circumstance they would allow the Hindu immigrants to stay refugees.He further demanded exemplary punishment for the people responsible for the incident who attack the local AASU office in Silapothar after hundreds of Hindu Bangla-speaking unitedly demanded removal of D voter tag from their names.The clash took place when the people who attended the rally took out a protest procession to mark the happy ending of the rally.As the rally crossed the local AASU office a section of the protesters...
An escalating tension prevails in Silapothar area of Dhemaji district after a group of protesters attacked a local AASU office on Monday forcing the authority to beef up security apprehending a massive group clash.Security forces are patrolling on the streets to prevent any gathering. The clash took place in the afternoon when hundreds of NIBBUS activists took out a procession in support of the move to welcome the Hindu refugees from Bangladesh and Nepal.A section of the protestors started melting stones at a local AASU office when the student leaders were not available.As the office was attacked many students and AASU activists countered them with a clash and the situation was brought...
The All Koch Rajbongshi Students Union(Pradip Ray faction) has warned to take up arms movement to put pressure for solving demnads of Scheduled Tribe(ST) status to the Koch Rajbonshis and Kamatapur state in the country.The students union alleged that BJP led government at centre and state have been tactically subsides the demands of the community. Speaking the Reporters at a Press Conference held at Kokrajhar Press Club on Monday,Pradip Ray,president of AKRSU slammed the BJP led alliance government at Dispur and Delhi that government has yet to fulfill promises that kept during assembly elections to the demand and issues of the community. He said that the students unon has resolved...
A new born baby from Assam is battling for life in Delhi after it was airlifted to the capital thanks to Prime Minister’s rare and humane initiatives.The eight day old baby who was born at the Assam Medical College Hospital in Dibrugarh suddenly slipped into a complicated lungs disease and the doctors who attended on the baby referred the case to the Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi.Without any delay, the parents air lifted the new born to the capital on ventilation support. As the baby and the team of doctors landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the ventilation support reached its last stage and it would take around one hours to reach the hospital.Prime minister Narendra Modi who...
Security forces are fanning at a huge area in east Garo hills district in search of William Sangma who is believed to have been hiding in the area to extort money. An intensified operation is in progress in Thapa Darenchi area where a police team spotted him suddenly on Sunday. According to information, the most wanted NANF rebel was spotted along with three aides when they were the policemen was conducting a routine checking of vehicles on the road Sangma, who was coming close to the team was asked to halt before they managed to escape leaving behind their vehicle. Policemen started firing at the rebels. But they vanished under the thick bushes. Since then, policemen have been...
The Assam Environmental NGO Forum (AENF) expresses deep concern at the propaganda launched against Kaziranga National Park by Survival International in active parleys with BBC Televisions bringing disrepute towards successful history of Kaziranga in protecting the pride of Assam – The Rhino. In a press statement, the Assam Environment NGO Forum coordinator Nitul Nath alleges that the Survival International is campaigning against Kaziranga either due to vested interest they may have to instigate rhino poaching in Kaziranga, or they were misled by some mischievous elements aiding illegal wildlife trade. The AENF appeals to the international communities not to give any attention to such...
In a move that can embitter AGP-BJP patch up, the government has appointed 23 chairmen and 18 deputy chairmen to the various government undertaking where the regional coalition partner is quite unhappy.According to AGP leaders, the list has no sufficient regional party leaders and that most of them were BJP leaders who are being placed.AGP leadership have urged chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal to reconsider the list to ensure adequate space for the regional party leaders in the list.A notification issued on Saturday appointed Jayanta Malla Barua as ATDC chairman, Jatin Bora as Assam Film Finance Development Corporation, Pabitra Margherita as Jyoti Chitrabon Chairman.Others in the list of...
More and more questions seem to have cropped up on the eviction drive in the name of clearing the government plots in many parts of the state.Prabajan Virodhi Manch has dared the government to resume the eviction in Palashbari, Sipajhar and Mayong where the indigenous population have been displaced by the steep rise in the number of the immigrants.In a statement issued to the media, convenor of the anti immigration organization Upamanyu Hazarika questioned the sudden shift of the eviction drive to Guwahati from Nagaon, Morigaon and South Kamrup areas which have turned into an abode of many doubtful citizens.Hazarika said many indigenous people who have shifted to the city and it's...
The dolphin’s position is same in the river ecosystem as a tiger in a forest. Declared Assam’s State Aquatic Animal in 2008, the Gangetic River Dolphin went on to become the National Aquatic Animal a year later. An online vote made it the City Animal of Guwahati recently. Unfortunately, the bid is yet to show results in its conservation. The threat on their existence continues to loom large unless their habitats are secured.” This was the observation made by Mubina Akhtar, secretary, Kaziranga Wildlife Society during the observation of World Wildlife Day on March 3, organized by the Rising Sun English School, Kohora on the school premises. Initiating the deliberations, KWS secretary Akhtar...
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