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.
Buoyed by the induction of 2 NPP MLAs and 3 BJP leaders, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has sharpened attack the State government charging a section of minister with embezzling the compensation fund meant for the trans Arunachal Highway project. Addressing a press conference in Itanagar, state Congress president Takam Sanjay said the verification report on the Potin-Bopi TAH compensation scam has clear mention of MLAs from Raga, Yachuli and Ziro. He said he had gone through the report where he came to know these names for their involvement in the scam. According to him, RKM Hospital should not be a central jail for the VIPs while Jullang central jail is for the poor people....
Despite hint of action by party leadership, yet another BJP MLA has on camera spoke up something that goes against the spirit of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. He is none other that Jogen Mohan, the MLA from Mahmora in Sivasagar district who said that he was always with the people and their sentiment. “We are watching the entire schemes of thing and once we get wind of anything that could damage Assam and its people we would never remain quiet,” said Mohan He said he would never allow anybody to compromise the interest of Assam and that the Bill has something which are still not in the know. According to him, the party leadership have yet to properly brief them about the Bill....
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is dividing the state BJP legislators much to the major embarrassment of the central leadership who are annoyed with the on going schemes of things. According to what the sources say, party’s national general secretary Ram Madhav went tougher against the 6 party legislatures who spoke up against the controversial Bill that promises citizenship to non Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The senior party leaders rued that these legislators should have raised the issue inside the party floor before venting ire on camera which was contrary to the party’s discipline. The central leadership are further disappointed with assembly...
Yet another BJP MLA has spoken to his mind opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 on Wednesday. That too the state party leadership have asked Rhituparna Baruah not to speak out before media. Hours after the Lahowal MLA received the diktat, his Bihpuria counterpart Devanand Hazarika openly said that there was a little ground to support the Bill in question. Talking to media, he said he won't go against the wish of his people and that those detected as immigrant in NRC should be pushed back. Hazarika is the fifth one BJP MLAs who stood up against the Bill. Earlier, Atul Bora, Hitendra Nath Goswami, Padma Hazarika and Rhituparna Baruah have spoken up against the Bill.
Traditional bonfire and feasting were accompanied by widespread protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the length and breadth of the state from Monday evening. The anti Bill protest dominated the festivity as folks in the rural and urban areas vowed to vehemently oppose the Bill that promises citizenship to non Muslim neighbours who intruded into the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to escape religious persecution till December 31, 2014. Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on sharpened his predecessor Sarbananda Sonowal and called him the weakest of all the Chief Ministers. Talking to reporters in Guwahati in the sidelines of...
AGP veteran and former minister Biraj Kumar Sarma passed away in Guwahati on Tuesday. Sarma, who was suffering from ailment breathed his last at the Nemcare Hospital in the city at 2.30 in the afternoon where he was undergoing treatment. Many political parties, leaders, organizations condoled the sudden death of the Assam Accord signatory and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Apart from keeping the state on the boil, the Citizenship(Amendment) Bill, 2016 has started dividing BJP, the ruling party even after the exit of its coalition partner. Nearly a dozen of party MLAs is believed to have been preparing to stand united against the Bill if the party leadership fails to read the writings on the wall. Talking to www.assamtimes.org, a senior party leader in Delhi said only a handful of party MLAs along with the ministers are unlikely to maintain studied silence. Nearly 25 MLAs are likely to come up openly against the Bill to put the government in a fix. “The number of aggrieved BJP legislators is increasing on every passing day. These legislators, mostly, are...
The protest over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 refuses to die down even in the run up to the much vaunted festival of Magh Bihu. Many organizations and individuals have staged dharna on Sunday across the state warning of dire consequences if the government fails to listen to the voice of protest. “We won’t let this to happen. I would like to throw an open challenge to BJP and RSS leaders: Get the Bill passed in Rajya Sabha and face the consequences. Don’t allow Assam---its people of ethnic diversity to be eclipsed in Hindutva politics,” said Kriskak Mukti Sangram Samity adviser Akhil Gogoi. Gogoi, the influential peasant leader said he would be on a fast on Monday on the day of...
The widespread anger and acrimony against sedition charge on Dr Hiren Gohain has spilled beyond the geographical and political boundary in the north eastern region. Noted writer and political commentator Prof Yogendra Yadav has strongly condemned the charge against the social scientist who recently addressed a rally to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Guwahati. Let’s listen to what Prof Yadav said.
In a move that runs into a hail of statewide protest the Guwahati police have booked Dr Hiren Gohain along with two social activists 3 days after they allegedly made highly objectionable speech as they attended a rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The Latasheel police station have filed a suo moto case of sedition charge against the noted intellectual fuellung the situation. Dr Gohain in a statement has denied making any statement which is fit for sedition charges under the various section if IPC. AGP, Congress along with many organizations and individuals have criticized the government for the step against Dr Gohain. AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta called it ...
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