Health Status of Children in Assam

Abstract

Children are the most valuable asset of a nation; their good health is the cornerstone for survival and
 development for current and succeeding generations which guarantee the sound and sustained economic
 development. Child health is a state of social, emotional, intellectual, mental and physical well- being which
 does not merely represent the absence of disease or infirmity. The term nutrition refers to a process of
 attaining necessary food for proper health and growth of human being. The nutritional status of children
 impacts their health, cognition and educational achievements. But underweight and malnutrition are most
 prominent health indicators in India and also in Assam (According to NFHS-3 & NFHS-4). Assam is situated
 in the North-East of India, bearing a considerable percentage of its population under the poverty line. Assam
 does not have shown much improvement in its health and nutrition indicators. Almost 36.4 percent children
 under age 5 are stunted and Infant Mortality Rate as high as 48( NFHS-4). The health status of children in
 rural areas of Assam is very pathetic. 55 percent children are stunting in rural areas. Various reports states
 that though Assam has made progress in its health indicators, still there is a great need to strengthen its
 existing health care services especially in the rural areas. The present study has made an attempt to study
 the health status of children in Assam. This study may be able to provide a base line information and need
 for effective implementation of various schemes and programmes for the improvement of health status of
 children in future.