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.
GUWAHATI: Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the office building of Assam Police Cyberdome project under Moitri at a programme held at special branch headquarters in Kahilipara, Guwahati on Saturday. The Cyberdome Project of Assam Police aims to empower police forces to use information and communication technology for better service delivery, create digital repository of its available databases on crime insurgency, terrorism and related cases. The project also aimed at constant capacity building of the police personnel for better policing of the cyber space and issues affecting the general population at large. The project has been conceptualized to provide advanced platform for...
GUWAHATI: Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the office building of Assam Police Cyberdome project under Moitri at a programme held at special branch headquarters in Kahilipara, Guwahati on Saturday. The Cyberdome Project of Assam Police aims to empower police forces to use information and communication technology for better service delivery, create digital repository of its available databases on crime insurgency, terrorism and related cases. The project also aimed at constant capacity building of the police personnel for better policing of the cyber space and issues affecting the general population at large. The project has been conceptualized to provide advanced platform for...
Guwahati: An amazing 1966 British film, Born Free will be screened at Guwahati Press Club tomorrow (6 June 2018) from 4.30 pm. Directed by James Hill and produced by Sam Jaffe & Paul Radin, the movie is based upon Joy Adamson's 1960 non-fiction book Born Free. Starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Joy and George Adamson, a real-life couple who raised an orphaned lion cub to adulthood and later released into the wilderness of Kenya, the movie has music by John Barry and cinematography by Kenneth Talbot.
In recognition to the extraordinary talent and her meteoric rise in the sprint circuit, Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi felicitated Hima Das at a function held at Raj Bhavan today. Fresh from her record breaking feat in the 58th National Inter-State Athletics Championship, at Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium here at Sarusajai, Hima won 2 gold medals in 200 metre and 400 metre sprint. I am happy to have run my personal best at my home track and I am privileged to have been felicitated by the Governor. It is special," expressed Hima. Hailing the feat of the athlete, Prof.Mukhi said, “The nation in general and the state in particular is proud of the enviable record of Hima Das. In 2016,...
A historic novel titled 'Mahanayak Lachit Borphukan' based on the life of great heroic character, Lachit Borphukan who fought against mighty Mughal, penned by Dr Jagadindra Raychoudhury, educationist and writer was released on 1st July, Sunday at Guwahati Press Club. Gracing the occasion senior journalist D.N. Chakraborty said while the heroic exploits of Chatrapati Shibaji and Maharana Pratap Singh had widely been discussed through text books and other writings in many languages, there had been little discussion and publicity about the incomparable heroism and unique leadership of the great Assamese warrior Lachit Borphukan. Another speaker, Padmashree Ajay Dutta, ex MLA and social worker...
Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expresses shock at the murder of Syed Shujaat Bukhari, a Srinagar based journalist on Thursday evening and demands necessary actions to nab the culprits at the earliest. The Assam based scribe’s forum also lamented that Shujaat becomes the fourth journalist killed in India this year. It may be noted that the chief editor and proprietor of ‘Rising Kashmir’ Shujaat was shot dead in Srinagar by a group of militants. Starting his career in ‘Kashmir Times’, Shujaat later shifted to ‘The Hindu’ as its Kashmir correspondent. Lately he established the English daily ‘Rising Kashmir’. His two security guards also sustained severe injuries in the incident. A...
The All A'chik Youth Federation (Assam State Zone) strongly condemned the inhuman killing of Nilotpal Das and Abhijeet Nath, who became victims of rumour mongering, in the hands of unruly mob at Dokmoka in Karbi Anglong. The student organization in a press release called for maintaining peace in society and demanded exemplary punishment for each of the culprits involved in the incident.
Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expresses profound grief at sudden demise of Kohima based senior journalist Xavier Rutsa this morning, who suffered a massive stroke after the midnight. He was rushed to the nearby hospital, but the attending doctors declared him brought dead. Engaged with a national newspaper Xavier, 45, was also president of Kohima Press Club. He was also associated with various social organizations of Nagaland. The media fraternity along with Nagaland Governor PB Acharya, Sate chief minister Neiphiu Rio, opposition political leader TR Zeliang with others expressed grief over his death. The JFA conveys its deepest condolences to his family and all members of the...
Guwahati: Assam Sports Journalists Association in association with Guwahati Press Club is going to organize a memorial meeting on 5 June (Tuesday) at the press club premises where the media fraternity will mourn the untimely demise of senior sports journalist Sanjib Kumar Sarma Thakur. A sportsperson himself, Sarma Thakur was also recognized as a commentator of All India Radio and Doordarshan. He faced an accident on 5 May at his city residence and died under hospitalization on 30 May. Both the organizations have requested the scribes to participate in the meeting which will start at 3 pm at press club auditorium.
Guwahati – Singer Zubeen Garg recently called for an end to the ritual of animal sacrifice at the Kamakhya Temple in Assam. According to reports, while performing at a function near the temple, he expressed his anguish over animal sacrifice and said that the practice must end. For this act of compassion, he'll receive a Hero to Animals Award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. "All religions call for compassion, no religion requires killing or eating animals, and hacking animals to death with weapons is just plain cruel," says PETA India Associate Director of Celebrity and Public Relations Sachin Bangera. "We commend Zubeen for being a voice for animals and...
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