'Iodine deficiency affects mental capabilities'

MULTAN: Severe iodine deficiency causes mental retardation, low mental capability, goiter, stillbirth, speech and hearing impairment and reproductive failure.

This was said by Health CEO Dr Muhammad Arshad while addressing the participants in Khanewal the other day. The event was jointly organised by department of health and the Nutrition International.



Arshad said that severe iodine deficiency in schoolchildren had reduced from 23% to 2% due to effective implementation of Universal Salt iodisation Programme.

He added that severe iodine deficiency in mothers had reduced from 37% to 4% only, as depicted in National Nutrition Survey 2011.  He appreciated the Nutrition International for its relentless support to Punjab government in controlling iodine deficiency disorders



He maintained, “Use of iodised salt improves the performance of students as it is vital for better IQ Level.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2017.