Health matters: Iodine deficiency causes mental problems

MULTAN: Severe iodine deficiency causes mental retardation and low mental capability. Iodine deficiency in children has reduced from 23% to 2 % due to effective implementation of the Universal Salt Iodisation Programme.

Health Executive District Officer Dr Fazal Karim said this on Wednesday during a training session for sanitary inspectors which was organised under the auspices of Health Department and The Micronutrient initiative in District Khanewal on Wednesday. On the occasion, the participants were briefed about the possible causes and effects of severe iodine deficiency.

The EDO said iodine deficiency in mothers has reduced from 37% to 4 %, as depicted in National Nutrition Survey 2011.

Provincial Programme Manager Ehtashamul Haq Tariq said with use of iodised salt, educational performance of students will improve. He maintained students should ensure intake of iodine salt in their daily diet for increased mental capabilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2016.