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.
Kokrajhar: Nearly 5000 Adivasi people thronged at Amguri in Kokrajhar on Wednesday raising their demands which include Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, land pattas. With banner and placards, they participated the mass gathering and shouted slogans demanding ST status to the Adivashis, solve the militant issues of the Adivashi community,provide land pattas etc. The ANC slammed the government for not taking any measures towards the Adivashis who are demanding since long years. Boyal Hembrom, chairman and Durga Hasda, chairman of Birsa Munda Commando Force alleged that the government has no any welfare attitude to the Adivashis even though they have been promised to solve...
GUWAHATI: Three minor boys met watery grave as they were playing in the outskirt of Guwahati sending a huge shockwave across the state on Wednesday. The incident took place at Rampur gaon in Palashbari where the trio went to a pond to swim and play who drowned instantly before somebody came to their rescue. Their bodies were fished out by the local residents before being identified as Binoy Das, Manjit Das and Chinmoy Das.
NEW DELHI: The Joint Parliamentary Committee set up to study the issues centering around the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 has rescheduled the April 12 hearing for the organizations from Assam in New Delhi to April 17. According to information, the House panel headed by Rajendra Agarwal has rescheduled the hearing acting on the suggestions to avoid the clash with the Rongali Bihu. The panel has dozens of applications and memorandums but has figured out only 28 of these to be invited for hearing in the capital which runs into a hail of controversy. These include the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU). Many organizations have opposed the hearing in Delhi and demands...
Kokrajhar: National Democrtaic Front of Boroland-Progressive(NDFB-P) has strongly criticized Kiren Rijiju two days after the Union minister of home spoke of differences among the surrendered rebels. In an exclusive interview to www.assamtimes.org, NDFB(P) general secretary Govinda Basumatary denied any differences within the outfit saying that they are very much united in terms of demands and issues. He said, “Rijiju said that the peace talks with ULFA is going on in right direction. But NDFB is divided in terms of demands which is totally false and fabricated. How ULFA is united since the independent faction is still active.” Basumatary claimed, “our demands and issues are still...
Kokrajhar: The BTC authority has suspended principal in-charge of Ramfalbil HS school Susil Kumar Basumatary for alleged involvement in the mid day meal and bicycle distribution scam. Basumatary received the order of his immediate suspension on Tuesday charging him with deliberately doing anomalies in the distribution of bicycles for the students. 'Basumatary has been involved with irregularities in implementation of MDM and some other school functions as prescribed from the concern department. The BTC administration has been observed thoroughly and put him under suspension', said a senior official in education department.
PRASENJIT SAHA AGARTALA: DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh says the NDA government at the Centre has been leaving no stone unturned to ensure an era of sustainable development of the north eastern region. In his address at the first Niti Aayog meeting of the region in Agartala on Tuesday, Singh said the slew of measures exclusively reserved for the region have started paying dividends these days. Apart from the DoNER minister and the panel’s vice chairman RajivKumar, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Riohis Tripura counterpart Biplab Kumar Deb, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma attended the meeting. The forum pledged to work for sustainable economic...
Kokrajhar: The All Bodo Students Union(ABSU), National Democratic Front of Boroland-Progressive(NDFB-P) and Peoples Joint Action Committee for Boroland Movement(PJACBM) have resolved to intensify the agitation for separate statehood. Addressing a Press Conference in Kokrajhar on Tuesday, ABSU president Promod Boro and NDFB-P general secretary Govinda Basumatary said the government has failed to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the Bodos even after BJP promised to solve it before the2014 parliamentary elections. They said the government lacks goodwill and wants to keep the issue alive for political mileage. Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the Centre chalked...
TEZPUR: The Dibrugarh police probing the APSC scam arrested DTO Prasenjit Ghose on Monday. Ghose, whom the government recently transferred from Guwahati to Tezpur for his alleged involvement in the coal scam was picked from his office in the morning. He is being brought to Guwahati to be interrogated by the investigators who have so far arrested 35 ACS, APS and allied service officers in this connection. These include the expelled chairman Rakesh Paul.
LAKHIMPUR: The Lakhimpur police have arrested four youths on Monday hours after they allegedly gangraped a 14 year girl in Naoboisa before dumping her on the roadside. Acting on a tip off, a team of police picked up the four youths while another is absconding. Identified as Munindra Sarkar, Ramani Ghose, Gushan Mandal and Manoj Biswas, they were picked up from Kolakhowa area in the wee hours.A team of senior police officers has been interrogating the accused persons who would be produced before the local court seeking them in police custody. The gory incident took place on Sunday evening in Naoboisa area where the minor girl was forcibly picked up from the road to be gangraped by...
LAKHIMPUR: Yet another girl was kidnapped and gangraped before being dumped on the roadside in Lakhimpur sending shock and anger across the state on Monday. The gory incident took place on Sunday evening in Naoboisa area where the minor girl was believed to have been forcibly picked up from the road to be gangraped by five miscreants at night. She was rescued in a critical condition on the roadside in the wee hours. Local residents and police have rushed her to the hospital where she has been battling to survive. Police have registered a case and hunt is on to locate the miscreants. “We are waiting for the medical report and the victim is also unwell. But we have been investigating the...
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