Raising awareness: Session urges use of iodised salt

Mild iodine deficiency can result in a significant loss in learning ability, says official

An awareness session on the promotion of iodised salt usage was held at the Islamabad Model School for Girls, G-8/4.

A large number of school children attended the seminar, conducted by TheNetwork for Consumer Protection.

“Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones, and severe iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of mental deficiency in childhood,” said a TN team member during the presentations.

“Even mild hypothyroidism for a short period of time may have adverse neuro-cognitive effects in later childhood. Mild iodine deficiency can result in a significant loss in learning ability. Thereby, iodine deficiency disorders threaten human and economic development of nations,” said the official.

The presenters said that achieving universal salt iodisation throughout Pakistan remained a challenge due to lack of awareness regarding the positive health impact of iodized salt usage and the lack of demand from the consumers.

Earlier, the TN team trained teachers of the Women Welfare and Development Centre to become active advocates of the iodized salt usage.

“Children are young ambassadors to amplify health-related messages. Universal salt iodization is the most effective way to ensure that every child gets enough iodine. Just one teaspoon of iodine consumed over the course of a lifetime can provide a high degree of protection against a range of iodine deficiency disorders,” said TN Project Coordinator Rubina Bhatti.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2014.