Measures to eliminate IDD

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Health Ministry has taken measures to increase the quality and quantity of iodized salt production to eliminate Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), said Health Ministry Food Control Administration

Unit Assistant Director H. Thilakaratne. Speaking at a media briefing held recently at the Health Education Bureau, the Assistant Director said that the ministry has already taken measures to encourage all major sections to obtain SLS Standard, provide technical guidance to small-scale salt iodizing industries, check quality of iodized salt at the production level regularly. According to the Assistant Director, the ministry has also taken measures to strengthen the regulatory process mechanism by preparing or updating legislation and circulars and the proper implementation, strengthening the data base at central level and establishing data bases at regional level.

According to the first systematic survey on IDD which was done in 1986, overall goitre prevalence among schoolchildren was !8.2 percent. The goitre rate in rural areas was 21 percent while it was 16 percent in urban areas. The goitre rate was also higher among girls than boys (23 percent) versus 14 percent. It was higher in inland (21 percent) than in coastal (13 percent). This situation has changed due to the implementation of Universal Salt Iodization Programme.