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: Altogether 61 persons received appointment letters as Agriculture Extension Assistant at a programme in BTC Secretariat auditorium hall on Tuesday in Kokrajhar. The appointment letters was ceremmonially distributed in the presence of BTC Legislative Assembly speaker Tridip Daimary,BTC executive members Rajib Brahma,Ansumwi Khunggur Boro,BTC Principal Secretary Biren Chandra Phukan. . The candidates are recruited through the written examination conducted by central selection board(CSB) and today formally appointed by handing over appointment letters to the selected candidates. There are 61 AEA posts have been filled up in four districts of BTAD under Agriculture department...
GUWAHATI: Hours after Piuysh Hazarika lodged a complaint against him, Tarun Gogoi welcomed the BJP MLA saying that the Raha MLA has virtually proved that Himanta Biswa Sarma was involved in corruption. Talking to reporters in Guwahati on Tuesday, Gogoi said he was prepared to face any action for speaking the truth. “Himanta Biswa Sarma filed suit against me. Now Piyush Hazarika. They have been trying to gag me. But I will keep saying,” said the former chief minister. Earlier in the morning, Hazarika, who shifted to BJP from Congress two years back lodged the complaint against Gogoi a couple of days after the three time chief minister confessed to have deliberately shielded Sarma even...
GUWAHATI: A BJP legislator takes on Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday charging the former chief minister with protecting Himanta Biswa Sarma who was allegedly involved in a number of scams. He is none other than Piyush Hazarika, the Jagiroad MLA who moved the police with a complaint against Gogoi alleging that he protected Himanta Biswa Sarma even after he came to know that his senior cabinet colleague was involved in the multi crore scam. Hazarika, who shifted to BJP from Congress two years back lodged the complaint against Gogoi a couple of days after the three time chief minister confessed to have deliberately shielded Sarma even after knowing his corruption.
NEW DELHI: Noted Assamese film maker Tapobrata Baruah passed away at a hospital in New Delhi descending a pall of gloom in the state’s cinema industry. He was 60. Barua, who was undergoing treatment at the Mulchand Hospital in the capital where he died in the wee hours on Tuesday. His wife Mridula Baruah, the prominent actor was also beside him when the end came. Within a short spell of time Barua earned huge applause in the film industry as he directed Bowari in the 80s where his wife and Biju Phukan played prominent role. His body is being flown to his home in Guwahati for last rites. Many film actors, directors, organizations and individuals have condoled Barua’s sudden death and...
NEW DELHI: A crucial meeting at home ministry in New Delhi on Tuesday is drawing up a slew of measures to defuse the simmering tension along the Assam-Mizoram border. Union home secretary is chairing the chief secretary level talks where the recent clash between Assam police men and a section of Mizo students is dominating. The root cause of the clash is said to have eluded. Union home minister Rajnath Singh asked home secretary to convene the chief secretary level talks after considering the appeals from Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his Mizoram counterpart Lalthanhawla. Very recently several Mizo students and journos sustained injury as Assam police men sprang upon a group...
GUWAHATI: Yet another ACS officer lands in dire trouble after the Assam Government has placed under suspension alleging her involvement in the nefarious APSC scam. She is none other than Avishika Baruah, the circle officer in Nazira whose involvement in the scam came to light a couple of months after she appeared her handwritten test conducted by the special operation unit of Dibrugarh police who have been probing the case. Last week Baruah offered to turn approver in the case where over 35 officers including chairman Rakesh Paul have been jailed.
Kokrajhar: An all India multi-lingual poet's meet evoked encouraging response as it took place at Bodofa Cultural Complex in Kokrajhar on Monday At-least 24 noted poets across the country, representing all languages which are included in the eight scheduled of Indian constitution, apart from Bodo,Assamese,Hindi,Bengali,Dogri,Sanskrit,Santhali,Nepali etc are participating in the meet. The meet was organized by Sahitya Academy of India and Bodo Writers Academy to mark the celebration, and was chaired by eminent Hindi poet from Kashmir Mohan Singh. Sahitya Akademy awardees Surath Narzary, Dr Mangalsigh Hazoary,president of the Bodo Somaj Rajendra Nath Boro,...
NEW DELHI: Hundreds of people from BTAD areas hit the streets in New Delhi on Monday reiterating the separate Bodoland demand. The All Bodo Students Union organized the procession where nearly 300 people thronged the Rajghat at 10 in the morning and marched to Parliament. Raising banners and play cards the processonists shouting slogans demanding separate Bodoland which they call the key to uplift the BTAD people. Talking to www.assamtimes.org, Prafulla Basumatary said,”we will keep fighting for a separate Bodoland since this is the only way to solve the confronting issues. We won't leave it half done.” “For the last one and a half decade both Delhi and Dispur have been assuring...
KOKRAJHAR: The first-ever inter-district School & College Wushu Kung-fu championship-2018 concluded at DN Himatsingkha LP School ground in Kokrajhar on Sunday. Nearly 100 participants participated in the championship from six-districts of the lower Assam region,apart from Kokrajhar,Chirang,Baksa,Bongaigaon,Goalpara,Kamrup(Rural),which was organised by Wushu Kung-fu Association Assam in association with Martial Arts Authority of Assam. The participants presented good showcase of the martial arts and its competition arena which created amusement attended audience on the concluding day. Medal winner and state players of the martial arts were given away trophy,certificates along...
NEW DELHI: The Centre is holding a chief secretary level meeting in Delhi to mend the widening fences between Assam and Mizoram on March 20. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba will chair meeting to settle the boundary dispute between the two north eastern states in the wake of protests by students. Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary attached for the region will also attend the meeting. Rajnath Singh took the initiative after Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and his Assam counterpart Sarbananda Sonowal moved the Union Home Minister for a negotiated settlement. In a letter, Thanhawla reminded Singh that the last time a dialogue process was initiated to resolve the dispute was...
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