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: In a major setback for NDFB-S, a Myanmar trained rebel of the outfit has surrendered before the authorities on Sunday. Identified as Rindao Brahma alias B Ringhav alias Mejem, the self styled Lance Corporal laid down his arms before Serfanguri police in Kokrajhar in the morning who hailed from Ramfalbil Kapurgaon village. He said he was a cadre of 42nd batch of the outfit who was trained up in Myanmar after he join in 2014. Ringhav further said he received guerrilla training in Myanmar for three months. He reached in Assam by foot and then by train from Myanmar. He disclosed that over 200 cadres are still active in the outfit and that the rebels have 11 camps who...
GUWAHATI: The stage is set to table the Assam state budget for 2018-19. Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is tabling the budget at 10-30 in the morning on Monday. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Sunday, Sarma said this year’s budget has some marked differences in terms of presentations and allocations of funds under the various heads.
KARIMGANJ: Tension refuses to die down along the Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi district three days after Assam police stopped a Mizo student body from allegedly building a rest house on a plot which they never own. Angry Mizo students at the border entry points have stopped non Mizo people from moving beyond Assam on Sunday forcing hundreds of vehicles to remain stranded for hours. Many trucks carrying essential commodities have not been able to reach the destination since the student body has not allowed these vehicle to move on the soil of Mizoram. The students have imposed the restrictions a day after the Mizoram government has proposed a fence...
DIMAPUR: Nagaland Congress president Kewekhape Therie has resigned owning moral responsibility for the party’s poll debacle triggering a huge crises inside the grand old party in the north eastern state. Therie sent his resignation to the high command a couple of days after he himself faced defeat and his party failed to open an account in the assembly polls in a state where the party ruled for more than two decades. Talking to www.assamtimes,org, Therie said he put in his papers and it was for the NPCC to take up the issue with the party’s central leadership.
MARCUS KANYAK KOHIMA: A couple of days after being forced to sit in the Opposition bench, a few NPF legislators in Nagaland has demanded end Toyota Innova Crysta to travel and not the Renault Dusters that fail to comfort them. A group of nearly one dozen NPF legislators has written to the assembly secretary raising the demand refusing to accept the Rs 13 lakh vehicles after all they want Rs. 22 lakh Toyota Innova Crysta. Talking to www.assamtimes.org, an NPF legislator argued that maintenance would be a huge problem if they are allowed to travel on Renault Dusters. “What we are raising is a genuine issue. There is no option. Let the authority decide. We will...
KARIMGANJ: In a bid to deescalate the tension along the Assam-Mizoram border, the Mizoram government has proposed a fence mending talks with the Assam counterpart saying it to be the best possible way. In a letter addressed to Dispur, Mizoram Chief Secretary Arvind Ray proposed a talk between the deputy commissioners of Kolasib and Halakandi within this week. The proposal comes hours after Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal called up his Mizoram counterpart Lalthanhawala where the duo agreed to stay away from the dispute site to defuse the tension. But the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) has been refusing to relent since they want to build up a rest house in the...
RAJESH MANDALDHEKIAJULI: The Dhekiajuli police have arrested a 23 year old youth from Moinajuli area two weeks after he raped a minor girl in the area who has been undergoing treatment at Tezpur Medical College and Hospital in Tezpur. Identified as Montu Mushahary, he was arrested after the parents of the victim filed a formal complaint at Dhrkuajuli police station.The incident took place on February 25.
GUWAHATI: Retired Justice BC Das will probe the allegations of HS examination paper leak in the science stream as the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council vows to take stern action. The state higher secondary education council set up the panel to probe the allegations a day after its secretary visited the Goalpara-based HS School where the physics, chemistry papers had striking similarity with the model papers complied by it.
GUWAHATI: Dipali Barthakur’s condition remains unchanged on Saturday even as a team of doctors at the Nemcare Hospital has been constantly monitoring the popular Assamese singer who has been ailing for the last couple of weeks. The doctors attending on her said she has been responding to treatment and that the next 24 hours would be crucial for her treatment. Her fans, family members and relatives have been visiting the private hospital to get to know he condition for the last 48 hours.
KAZIRANGA: There has been a sharp rise in the number of incidents of human-leopard conflicts in Assam in the last few years that has taken a turn for the worse with a number of the species killed by mobs. Large-scale encroachment in forestland and in the hills that provided safe refuge for the leopard has forced the big cat to come into conflict with humans. Last year alone, more than 20 leopards were killed and an equal number of the cats were captured by the forest department in different parts of the state. “Like all other species, the survival of the leopard is also under threat due to an expanding human population, and accompanying development and habitat fragmentation. On an average...
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