18 February 2007
Call To Use Iodized Salt
Proper investment should be made in Research and Development to find if India has adequate quantity of iodine as its two main sources are rocks and weeks, said Dr RK Srivastava, Director General of Health Services, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Inaugurating a one-day policy-level awareness workshop on National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme for Southern region in the city, he said India had a requirement of two lakh tones of iodine every year. At present, iodine is being imported from Chile and Japan.
Dr. Srivastava emphasized on coming up with solutions in such meetings and providing policy directions to the government.
In spite of being albe to reach 90 percent of the households with iodised salt, only 30 percent were using iodised salt adequately in TN, said State health Secretary Mr. VK Subburaj. “Iodine deficiency can cause stunted growth and affect the development of brain in children”, he said.
Mr. Subburaj said all the districts of Tamil Nadu had iodine deficiency problems. “The deficiency is highest in Nilgiris and least in Karur. We have to ensure that the disparities are narrowed down in all districts”, he added.