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Consultation held with health experts on iodine deficiency
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Thursday, 15th October: Health Professionals of Twin Cities emphasized the need for Universal Salt iodization
during a meeting organized by TheNetwork for Consumer Protection at Shifa college of Medicine, Islamabad.
Health Professionals of Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa College of Nursing, Shifa Free Community Health center,
PMDC, IIMC, IMDC, KRL Hospital, Social Security Hospital, Lady Health Workers Program, Nutrition Wing, UNICEF,
WHO, gethered at Shifa College of Medicine to discuss Iodine deficiency disorders and Health professionals role
in addressing this serious public health issue.
Dr Arif Azad, Executive Director of TheNetwork, in his introductory remarks traced the history of network’s role
in public health advocacy campaigns which have resulted in legislation to address the issues of smoking and
promotion of breast feeding. He said similar efforts to set an alliance of health professional on IDD can play a
vital role in pushing the issue of iodine deficiency on public health and legislative agenda.
Iodine Deficiency is the world’s most prevalent yet easily preventable cause of brain damage, having the most
devastating impact on the brain of the developing fetus and young children in the first few years of life.
Globally, an estimated 20 million infants are born each year at risk of brain damage from iodine deficiency.
Pakistan is rated 6th amongst the countries, where iodine deficiency is a serious public health problem.
According to UNICEF (1998), 70% of the total population in Pakistan is at risk of IDDs. A recent research in
Pakistan citied that around 50 million people are suffering from iodine deficiency, 6.5 million of whom are
facing severe type of deficiency and the gravity is reflected in the striking figure of more than 4 million
children born every year unprotected against brain damage. Iodine Deficiency can be prevented with just one tea
spoon of iodine – consumed in tiny amounts on a regular basis over a lifetime – at very little cost (Rs. 3.5
per person annually) and the most viable option is having universal salt iodization (USI) of edible salt across
the country.
Yet, only 17 per cent of the overall population uses iodized salt in our country (NNS 2001-02), which is
incredibly low even if compared with countries with similar socio-economic conditions like Bangladesh
(78 per cent) and Nepal (93 per cent). However, there is a dire need to create mass awareness on this issue and
mount advocacy for promotion of IDDs legislation and monitoring the enforcement of universal Salt iodization in
order to combat iodine deficiency in the country.
Dr Mohammad Aslam, Principle, Shifa College of Medicine, chief guest of the event said that Shifa College of
medicine will advocate that medical students may conduct researches on IDDs in the surrounding communities of
Islamabad in collaboration with TheNetwork so that our potential doctors can play a better role. Shifa will
arrange education sessions for patients and General Practitioners.
Sheeba Afghani, Communication Specialist, UNICEF stated that Universal Salt Iodization (USI) is globally known
and acceptable means to fight iodine deficiency. She said alliance of health professional on IDD can contribute
hugely to the success of USI campaign as health professional are the source knowledge, expertise and powerful
advocate for public health causes especially IDD.
Dr Kazi, WHO representative said that public health victories are hard to achieve. It requires long and sustained
efforts.
Dr Zaeem, Public Health Specialist emphasized that we need to focus on invisible effects of iodine deficiency
such as mental retardation, low IQ level and low performance at schools among youngsters. Health professionals
are the Ullmas of health sector and can play a great role.
Prof. Dr Shamsa Zafar, Gynecologist of Islamic International Medical College highlighted that public health
perspective needs to issues such as IDDs are not addressed in the medical curriculum She said recent research
has shown that pregnant mothers needs are not met by iodized salt alone . They need to be supplemented. Such is
the importance of iodine for pregnant mothers.”
Dr Yawar Najam, Pediatrician, Shifa International Hopital, in his presentation underscored the need of linking
IDD with MDG. IDD stand in the way of achieving important MDG milestones.
Mr Yaqoob Qureshi, Health Education Advisor, Nutrition Wing, MoH explained the salient features and status of
IDDs legislation. He said the scale of the problem is high yet the legislation can help in improving nutritional
status of the nation.
Rounding up the discussion, Dr Arif Azad described the alliance of health professional on IDDs as significant
step forward in universal salt iodization campaign and appreciated the efforts of UNICEF, WHO and Nutrition Wing
in taking this initiative forward.
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