Iodine deficiency: ‘Around 2.25m babies born with intellectual impairment annually’

Mild iodine deficiency results in significant loss in learning ability, says Unicef Programme Specialist

ISLAMABAD:

An estimated 2.25 million Pakistani babies are born each year with intellectual impairment caused by iodine deficiency.

Unicef Programme Specialist Dr Muhammad Rafiq said this while speaking at a seminar organised on Thursday by TheNetwork for Consumer Protection in collaboration with the Unicef, said a press release issued here.

The seminar aimed to raise awareness about promotion and consumption of iodized salt to prevent iodine deficiencies in children.

“Mild iodine deficiency also results in a significant loss in learning ability. Other effects include increased risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and goiter for women and learning difficulties for children” said Dr Rafiq.

“Universal salt iodisation 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 Dr Rafiq.

Religious leaders also expressed their pledge to help create awareness about the importance of iodized salt.

“Lack of information is the main reason behind the lack of awareness about the importance of iodised salt, which is an important component of balance health,” said Mulana Abdul Zahir, chief cleric of the Bahria Town mosque.

“In our country, sadly religious leaders don’t have access to sufficient or accurate information on health issues and health campaigns fail to sensitise them.” Understanding key issues related to health are an essential element of religious leaders’ sustained support.

Thus help from religious figures is required and they need to work with commitment and responsibility,” said TheNetwork Executive Coordinator Nadeem Iqbal.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2014.