64pc schoolchildren in Pakistan protected against iodine deficiency disorders

Rawalpindi
More than 64% children in school-going age in Pakistan are now protected from iodine deficiency disorders through salt iodisation programme which is making great progress and achieving the desired results.
Executive District Officer (Health) Dr. Arshad Ali Sabir said this while addressing the participants of a meeting of Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Committee held here on Monday at DCO office under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner General Imran Qureshi.
The meeting jointly organised by District Health Department and Micronutrient Initiative, a Canadian NGO was attended by assistant commissioners, EDO Education, EDO Social Welfare, District Food Controller Rawalpindi, District Officer Health, deputy district officers (Health), Sanitary and Food Inspectors and representative from salt processors.
The meeting was arranged to share the progress of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) Programme in district Rawalpindi. The programme is being implemented and run by the MI in 110 districts of the country since 2005 to further strengthen efforts for provision of iodized salt to consumers in Pakistan.
In the meeting, the USI Zonal Manager Imtiaz Ali Shah informed the Participants about methodology of Salt iodization through drip-feeds which are being provided to the salt processors free of cost. He said that daily use of iodized salt can prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs).
National Programme Manager USI Dr. Ahsanullah Khan said that IDD free Pakistan means children with higher IQ, improved mental and physical growth; and overall healthy nation contributing to economic growth of Pakistan.
The ADCG Imran Qureshi directed all ACs and EDOs to start registering all salt processors operating in the district with competent authority to ensure iodisation of salt and those who are processing non-iodized salt should be fined and in case they do not change their behaviour, their processing units should be sealed.
He suggested compilation of a report with facts and figures on the subject by December 15, 2015. He directed the representatives of salt processors to ensure printing of names of salt processers on the packing. He strongly recommended to plan quarterly IDDC committee meeting on regular basis. The Chair also suggested that the EDO Health should launch a campaign through deputy district health officers to ensure provision of iodised salt to consumers in open market.
Imtiaz Shah shared issues being faced by the district field teams like resistance from salt processors, production of non-iodised salt and its sale in the market. He requested the Chair to take corrective measures to improve the situation.
The ADCG also directed the sanitary and food inspectors for strict action against resistant salt processors and dealers giving them one-month time for achieving the goal of 100 per cent salt iodisation production.
It is important that the whole spectrum of health consequences casually linked to iodine deficiency is collectively known as Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) which are most commonly seen among poor, pregnant women and preschool children. Studies reveal that Iodine Deficiency is the world’s most prevalent yet easily preventable cause of brain damage and in Pakistan; according to estimates, more than five million children born every year are unprotected against brain damage because of the iodine deficiency.
It is worth mention here that nearly 50 million people in Pakistan are suffering from iodine deficiency while 70 per cent of the total population in the country is at risk of IDDs.