Friday, May 16, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 9, 1429    

Use of iodized salt Legislation draft sent to cabinet for approval

Islamabad—The Ministry of Health, Nutrition Wing has sent a draft of proposed legislation to the federal cabinet for use of iodized salt in the country to protect the citizens from iodine deficiency disorders.
This was informed by Dr. Zareef Khan, Project Manager Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Universal Salt Iodization Control Programme in Pakistan during one-day briefing session, jointly organized by Nutrition Wing, Ministry of Health and UNICEF here on Thursday.
He said several consultative meetings were held with concerned stakeholders for the preparation of draft for certain legislation and after receiving inputs from all it was finally submitted to the cabinet for approval.
He said the ministry is also planning to request the ministry of Education to include material on iodine deficiency in the school course as school age children are the most affected from it.
Dr. Zareef said efforts are being made for salt iodization in the country from existing 17% to 90% by the end of 2010 under Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program.
He said the program is being implemented in 65 target districts of the country for capacity building of salt processors and health managers for monitoring of iodization process.
He said iodine deficiency is becoming major public health problem in the country as about 50% of the population is estimated to be at risk of iodine deficiency disorders.
He said the inhabitants of the mountainous areas in the north of Pakistan are most likely to have clinically obvious, goitrous iodine deficiency while the general population is at significant risk for iodine deficiency disorders.
Assistant Director General, Nutrition Wing, Ministry of Health Dr. Agha Mahboob said under Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program steps will be taken to control iodine deficiency by 2013 and Universal Salt Iodization by 2010.
He said it is not only responsibility of the government to educate people about health issues but every citizens should play due role in this regard for improving the health of country people.
Sheeba Afghani of UNICEF said that during current year, major focus will be on high level advocacy at ministerial level and on the demand side the focus will move from household consumers to large institutional consumers to make an immediate dent in the stagnant of Universal Salt Iodization.—APP