Iodine deficiency a major public health problem — Health department

DIMAPUR — Nagaland was declared as one of the Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) endemic states in India through a baseline survey conducted by ICMR in the early 1960s, where 34.3% of goitre prevalence was recorded.

On the eve of World Iodine Deficiency Disorder Day, the state Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), IDD Cell, in a press release informed that IDD is a major public health problem worldwide.

“It is confirmed that one out of every five people in India lies in IDD endemic areas. It is estimated that 1.5 billion people in the world and over 200 million people are at risk of getting IDDs. India alone has more than 71 million people suffering from goitre and other IDDs,” the department stated.

Nagaland IDD Cell was established in 1987, and since then, control and preventive measures have been adopted through the programme division.

Nagaland has the lowest goitre/thyroid disorder among 1,00,000 women in the country 505/1,00,000 (NFHS-4) and the state ranks sixth in the country in total household consumption of iodised salt at 99% (99.3% in urban and 98.8%  in rural areas).

Iodine is a micro-nutrient element essential to human life. Some of the most vital functions of the human body depend upon a regular supply of iodine.

“Iodine is naturally available in the soil and water. Our normal requirement comes from crops grown on iodine-rich soil. Therefore when the soil of any area lacks iodine the crops grown in such area lack iodine. Consequently, those people who live on iodine-deficient land do not get the daily requirement of iodine from their diet,” it stated.

Why is iodine so important?

Because it is essential for the normal growth, development and functioning of both the brain and body. More importantly, without enough iodine a newborn’s brain and body can become permanently retarded and stunted. A pregnant woman who is deficient in iodine is likely to produce an abnormal child.

Iodine deficiency in the diet forms a group of abnormalities known as iodine deficiency disorders. It includes goitre, mental retardation speech and hearing defects, squint, difficulties in standing & walking normally & growth retardation.

What is Iodised salt?

Iodised salt is nothing but the common salt to which a small quantity of iodine compound is added. It is used to prevent iodine deficiency. It looks, tastes and smells exactly like an ordinary salt.

Iodine is added to salt for the simple reason that we all use salt every day irrespective of caste, religion or economic status in normal quantity – 10 to 15 grams a day. If this quantity is iodised we automatically get the right amount of iodine that is required every day.

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