DIPR
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 7
The importance of medical programme ought to be taken seriously as the impact is huge, stated CMO Peren, Dr Yankho Lotha in his remarks as the resource person during the advocacy meeting on iodine deficiency held at Peren on February 6.He lamented that iodine deficiency was discovered some five thousand years ago in China but prevention could not be achieved fully even today due to our own lack of will power. “The programme to deal with iodine deficiency was launched in 1954 but could not achieve its target as yet,” he stated.
The WHO declared 21st October as Iodine Deficiency Day in 2005 and therefore active programme started on a war footing throughout the world. About one third of the population is exposed to iodine deficiency worldwide he said and added that some 88 lakh of population suffer from mental retardation in India due to iodine deficiency.
The daily requirement of iodine for a person is between 10 to 15 mm he said. Iodine is the agent that stimulates the thyroid glance, such as the growth of hormones etc. Deficiency of iodine can cause growth retardation, law intellectual, goitre etc.
He further warned against the storage of salt for more than 6 months as the iodine contain becomes degraded after six months period from the date of manufacture. The public and the shop keepers were enlightened on the topic during the programme including punishment related with it.
SDO (C) Hq. Peren, Avelu Ruho also stressed on the importance of consumption of only iodised salt for all round health of an individual.
She stated that this awareness campaign should be taken seriously as the world scenario of iodine deficiency is very hardening. About 740 million people suffer from iodine deficiency related diseases she added.
Deputy CMO Peren, Dr Tiala while chairing the programme also highlighted some of the grin picture of iodine deficiency worldwide. She stated that 130 countries including India are affected by iodine deficiency.
