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: Assam Congress MPs staged protest in New Delhi on Tuesday alleging the BJP-led government’s move to cancel the recognition of Assam Women University in Jorhat. Led by state Congress president and Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, the MPs stood in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statute at the Sansad Bhawan premises in the morning where they raised voice of protest against the move. They said the Sonowal government in Assam has been trying to downgrade the varsity to a technical institute much to the utter disappointment of hundreds of girl students who have been pursuing various courses there. They asked the Centre not to disrupt the varsity’s status and immediate measures to uplift it....
GUWAHATI: Yet another officer has been arrested in connection with the nefarious APSC scam while four others are expected to meet the same fate at any moment The Assam police team probing the multi crore scam has arrested Nalbari tax inspector Barnali Devi from her residents in the morning hours after four others were held from different places. They were arrested two months after they faced handwriting test in Guwahati for forensic confirmation. In the second major crackdown in this nefarious scam, the police have arrested the Mancachar based IRBN DSP Kaushik Kalita, Dhakuwakhana Circle officer Rhituraj Gogoi, Majuli assistant employment officer S Sarkar and Rangiya excise...
NEW DELHI: A decomposed body of a girl from Meghalaya strikes no less sensation at a busy area in New Delhi on Wednesday. Identified with the help her Aadhar Card, the body of the girl was recovered from a flat in Munrika area in the capital city in the wee hours. She was working with a call centre. Police have registered a case to be investigated to ascertain the reason of her death.
GUWAHATI: The Assam police team probing the APSC scam has arrested four other officers on Wednesday two months after they faced handwriting test in Guwahati for forensic confirmation. In the second major crackdown in this nefarious scam, the police have arrested the Mancachar based IRBN DSP Kaushik Kalita, Dhakuwakhana Circle officer Rhituraj Gogoi, Majuli assistant employment officer S Sarkar and Rangiya excise inspector A Borbora. They would be produced before a special court in the afternoon seeking them in police remand. “We can't disclose anything now. On the basis of forensic report we are proceeding. More officers who ensured recruitment this way would be arrested,”said a senior...
NEW DELHI: The speakers at a national convention in New Delhi on Tuesday strongly opposed the ongoing process to update NRC alleging it an attempt to drive out from the state nearly 50 lakh linguistic minority people. Organized by Human Protection and Organization at the Press Club of India in the afternoon, PRASENJIT Biswas said the linguistic minority people are being harressed in the north eastern state in the name of NRC. He further said by the next couple of months in Assam around 50 lakh linguistic minority people would be tendered homeless in the name of an updated NRC. Another speaker George Becker, however, heaped huge praise on the people of Assam saying they are decent lot...
NEW DELHI: In yet another embarrassment for the NDA Government at the Centre, the Supreme Court has asked the Registrar General not to halt the NRC process on the ground of panchayat polls. Hearing an affidavit by the Centre on Tuesday, a division bench of the country’s apex court comprising Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman strongly criticized the authorities saying that the panchayat poll procedure must not disrupt NRC process. They said if need be the government is free to hire officials from outside to conduct the polls. They said if the RGI fails to do these he must quit the job but the entire process must complete within the time fixed earlier.
Kokrajhar: Experts at a seminar in Kokrajhar on Tuesday strongly advocated measures to uplift the Bodo language and literature in the global scene. Participating at a two days international seminar organized at the Central Institute of Technology(CIT) in Kokrajhar on Tuesday the scholars from Copenhagen University, Denmark Prof. Peter B Anderson, Professor of the University of Sydney Dr Gwendolyn Hyslop, noted historian from Kolkata Hiracharan Narzinary presented papers highlighting the developmental aspects of the Bodo language in coming days. Over hundred participants from different colleges and varsities participated the seminar where the organizers hoped...
Kokrajhar: Kokrajhar joined the nationwide Mission Sambhav on Monday to ensure total cleanliness. The mission will be construct 3500 toilets across the six block developments under three sub-divisions in Kokrajhar district. MLA Rabiram Narzary kick started the mission by cutting the ribbon at Pakrirtal village under Dotma block development. Narzary has initiated the pit digging to construct toilets at the rural areas to facilitate toilets and its healthy living.The mission has been implementing by public health engineering(PHE) department through the registered NGOs. of toilet will cost Rs.12,000. Government of India and state government highlighted that the mission has...
GUWAHATI: WWF-India AAPSO HS launched #GIVE UP TO GIVE BACK initiative in keeping with Earth Hour 2018 activities. The campaign aimed at inspiring organizations, institutions and individuals to make a choice to curb certain habits, practices and lifestyles, burdening the lives of people and the environment and chooses alternatives to Connect to Earth. While Earth Hour consistently focused on climate change as a key call to action over the last decade, the 2018-2020 campaign broad based the conversation beyond climate change and calls on people across the world to take action and understand the inter-connectivity of people and our environment through relevant issues such as air, water, and...
GUWAHATI: Cutting across the barriers of their political ideologies, the legislators have strongly felt the need of a new set of laws to firmly deal with the incidents of sexual misconduct. Talking to reporters, Batadrawa MLA Angurlata Deka said,”we want a strong law to ensure exemplary punishment of the culprits. I have urged the chief minister to bring a legislation. In the case of Dhing, a first tract court should be set up for speedier Justice delivery.” Opposition leader Debobrata Saikia said,” the existing set of laws are not enough to firmly deal with the perpetrators and hence a new legislation be brought at an earlier date.” Same sentiment echoes in AIUDF where the legislators...
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