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: The United Liberation Front of Asom(I) says Assam is going to be yet another war theatre thanks to the army who want to retaliate the 1962 aggression. In a joint speech of chairman Dr Abhijit Asom and Chief of Staff Paresh Baruah celebrating the outfit’s army day on Friday, they said the army chief keeps visiting the region these days to take stock of the war preparedness against China. The ULFA(I) leader duo said the consequences would be very pathetic if yet another Indo-China war is allowed to take place. They further urge the people to be aware of the non stop festivity in the state which would affect the growth of the Assamese as a nation. Lashing out at RSS, the ULFA(I)...
GOALPARA: An influential Garo organization in Goalpara bordering Meghalaya wants to be part of the neighbouring state alleging lack of proper care and attention of the state authorities. The local residents of a huge hamlet along the interstate border at recent meeting organized by the All Achik Youth Federation (AAYF) at Kangkhak unanimously threatened to go with Meghalaya if Dispur refuses to blink since their demands are very old. Cross bell Marak, who leads organization had no dearth of words to ventilate the grievance against the government. He said,“On March 11, the state government of Assam has created regularized posts for Assamese, Hmar and Hindi but no post for Garo medium...
BIJOY KR BURAGOHAINJORHAT: Hundreds of APYCS activists spilled to the road in Teok on Thursday evening and strongly took on Sukumar Biswas, who negated the rights of the people of Assam to oppose the move to settle in Hindu immigrants.Shouting slogans against the Hindu Bengali organization, the APYCS leaders and activists burnt tyres on the road to register the protest against the organization in question. “Disgusting indeed. Who have given Sukumar Biswas the right to invite the Hindu oursiders. This fellow must be brought to book. Otherwise, we won't relent,” said Manoj Gogoi who leads the organization.
KOHIMA: Former Nagaland chief minister and sitting NPF legislator, T R Zeliang has been elected as Leader of Opposition in the 13th Nagaland Assembly.Further, Nagaland Unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) President, Ato Yepthomi has appointed MLA Imnatiba as the Chief Whip of NPP while Nagaland Unit BJP President, Visasolie Lhoungu has appointed P. Paiwamg Konyak as the Chief Whip of the Party in the Assembly. The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party President, Chingwang Konyak has appointed C M Chang as the Chief Whip of the NDPP party in the Assembly.DIMAPUR
KOKRAJHAR: The Kokrajhar police have detained at least 15 persons for allegedly vandalizing the statute of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee at Rabindra Nagar in Kokrajhar. They were detained after the All India Bengali Youth Students Federation demanded early identification of involved culprits and punished. On the other hand. Assam state BJP party will erect the statute afresh in the same place, party leaders said in Kokrajhar.The incident took place on Tuesday night when unidentified miscreants vandalised the statue triggering created anger among all sections of society.Local citizens condemned the incident and demand action against the miscreants.
HAILAKANDI: Unidentified miscreants gangraped and killed a Reang girl inside her house in Hailakandi sending huge wave cinemas of shock and anger across the state on Thursday. The incident of double crime took place at Betchera gaon in Katlichera on Wednesday evening where miscreants were believed to have forcibly stormed in to the house where the Reang girl was inside it in the absence of other family members. After gangraping, the miscreants were believed to have strangulated the girl to death and escaped. Her body was found on Thursday wee hours.Police investigation is underway to nab the perpetrators.
KOKRAJHAR:: Miscreants in Kokrajhar have vandalized the statue of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee at Rabindra Nagar on Wednesday wee hours triggering anger and acrimony across the BTAD areas. Local residents came spot the incident and reported the local police station where investigation is going on. Deputy Commissioner Niranjan Baruah and SP Rajen Singh, took stock of the situation and gave hint of stern action against the miscreants. Former Rajya Sabha MP and president of United Peoples Party-Liberal Urkhao Gwra Brahma condemned the incident and demanded strict action against the miscreants. BTC executive member Doneswar Goyary also condemned it and urged the district administration to get...
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Editors & Publishers Association(MEPA) has strongly condemned on the high handedness of the Assam Police who mercilessly assaulted a Mizo journalist as she was covering the simmering conflict along the Assam-Mizoram border last week. In a statement MEPA president RM Shabong said the journalists have their own liberty to be present on such un easy situation and that the Assam Police should have allowed them to perform their duty without favour or fear. MEPA asked the Assam government to institute an enquiry into it and to punish the elements responsible for it since the incident has made a huge dent in the image of the police force...
GUWAHATI: Assam Times Journalist and conservation activist Mubina Akhtar received the award of Excellence in Journalism, 2018 for her relentless contribution to the field of Environmental Reporting from the State Social Justice Commission at a function in the city organized to mark the International Women's Day. Ten women from the state were awarded for their contributions in their respective fields. The award comprised a citation, a memento, phoolam gamocha and a japi. Akhtar started her career as a journalist in the 90's and dedicated herself to the field of environment reporting. Her long 22 years of career as a environmental journalist, she has written thousands of...
KAUSHIK HAZARIKA BOKAKHAT: A strayed leopard unleashed a no less reign of terror among the patients and their attendents as it started roaring inside the Bokakhat Sub Divisional Hospital on Wednesday forcing the forest officials to step in. A section of the patients and attendents suddenly spotted the animal roaring inside the hospital premises in the wee hours and started running hugger mugger to get rid of its impending attack. The panic stricken animal also stormed into an isolated room and the patients brought it to the notice of the authority who called up police and forest officials. Caught in a clamorous surroundings, the animal suddenly stormed in to the premises of a near by...
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