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.
New Delhi: In a major setback for Tripura BJP, Niti Deb, the wife of chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb has moved a Delhi court with a divorce plea.
According to what she has alleged, Deb has alleged that she was the victim of domestic violence.
CNBC-TV18 reports suggested that Niti has moved the Tis Hazari court in Delhi and filed a divorce petition.
New Delhi: The BJP-led Assam government was left red faced in the Supreme Court when it apprised the top court of the move to free some of the detention camp inmates identified as immigrants 5 years back.
A division bench of the court presided over by CJI Ranjan Gogoi who took potshot at the government as it was hearing a petition alleging untold torture on the detention camp inmates.
Gogoi used a number of harsh words on Chief Secretary Alok Kumar and said he had no rights to continue his post. Then Kumar tendered apology before the court for making such proposal unheard of.
CJI further slammed the government for missing of 5 lakh identified illegal settlers and...
Guwahati: Finally state Congress has admitted the party's failure to make the Citizenship Bill in the Lok Sabha poll with full forces.
This was what former CM Tarun Gogoi said as he was addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Thursday.
Gogoi said they tried their best but it failed to reach the people in the grassroots level.
"We tried. But we could not concentrate only on it since many issues were on the store," said the former chief minister.
He further said that the pressure groups who organized the state wide protest could not help the issue reach the rural areas.
Many issues confronting the north eastern region have been left unnoticed amid the heat and dust of the recent electioneering much to the surprise of the knowledgeable circle.
Insurgency, flood and erosion, cross border influx missed the poll manifestoed released by both Congress and BJP.
"I don't understand why these parties are averse to make these poll issues. Both parties are responsible " said Bondita Sailor, a college teacher in Sivasagar.
"We have concentrated only on the principal issue which is none other than the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. We won't allow it, " said HP Saikia, a Congress leader in Guwahati.
Rhianna Das...
“The idea behind celebration of World Earth Day was to create awareness about the need for preserving and renewing the threatened ecological balances upon which all life on Earth depends. However, that idea remained confined to a handful of population around the globe. As a result of which an average of 60% of the population of fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles have dwindled in between the celebration of the first World Earth Day in 1970 to 2014,” said Mubina Akhtar, noted journalist and wildlife activist, while speaking on this year’s World Earth Day theme “Protecting the Species” at the NKC Auditorium, University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, organized by Earth Science...
Kokrajhar: A Bihu dance workshop was organsied at Rashmela field in Kokrajhar to impart dancing skills among performers in the area.
A good number of performers participated the workshop, which was organized by Kokrajhar Rongmon Bihuwa group.
Bisuwa Utsov and Rongali Bihu is being organizing at Rashmela field beginning from April in Kokrajhar.
Guwahati: The gate-keeping role of traditional media has been questioned by observers, despite the advent of social media where everyone has a say but there is little credible analysis. Reacting to the recent controversy over NaMo TV, the Electronic Media Forum Assam (EMFA) has urged news channels in particular to introspect whether they too are facing a major credibility challenge.
The forum, in a statement issued today, posed the question whether common viewers are turning to raw news rather than interpretative news content aired by recognized news channels. If the answer is yes, it could mean professional journalists are being rendered irrelevant as news consumers prefer 'unedited'...
Guwahati: On the eve of Rongali Bihu, the festival of joy & fervor, Guwahati Press Club in association with MMCH, Panbazar has organized a free media OPD clinic on 10 April 2019 at its premises, where the participants will get the opportunity to screen their lipid profile, RFT, LFT, RBS in blood.
The reports will be available next day at the press club office. Member-journalists are requested to arrive at 11 am to join the camp, which will continue till 1 pm on Wednesday
Guwahati: Electronic Media Forum Assam (EMFA) expressed serious concern over the brutal attack on city based television journalist Chakrapani Parashar last evening by a group of vendors at Ganeshguri locality and demanded stringent actions against the culprits.
The forum also urged the State government in Dispur to ensure security to media persons with enacting a special protection law at the earliest. It may be mentioned that Chakrapani, who is working for satellite news channel News18/AssamNE, was stabbed by some workers of a restaurant, adjacent to his office, on Thursday (21 March 2019) evening while he was on duty.
Chakrapani got serious injuries in various parts of his body and...
Seven ULFA-I cadres surrenderd on Monday before police in Tinsukia.
The cadres were identified as Barun Asom, Sourav Asom, Utpal Asom, Bosonto Asom, Ninja Asom, Mazid Moran and Shekharjyoti Asom.
Police paraded the surrendered ULFA cadres before media on Tuesday.
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