Patiala, October 21:
The Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab celebrated World Iodine Deficiency Disorder Prevention Day at Mahavir Dharamshala, Tripuri, Patiala. On this occasion, special emphasis was given to making people aware about the importance of iodine and prevention of diseases caused by its deficiency. The Honorable Health Minister of Punjab Dr. Balbir Singh attended this event as the chief guest. On
this occasion, Health Minister Punjab Dr. Balbir Singh while addressing said that the good health of the common people is the most important for us. Making Punjab a healthy and colorful Punjab is our main objective for which the Punjab Government and the Health Department are continuously working tirelessly. He said that the main objective of this day is to give the message to the people that the right amount of iodine is very important for the health of the mother, better development of children and the well-being of the entire society.
He said that iodine is a very important micronutrient for the human body. It is required for the production of thyroid hormones, which play an important role in the body’s metabolism, physical development and brain development of children. Iodine deficiency can cause goiter, thyroid dysfunction and have adverse effects on the physical and mental development of children. It aims to ensure access to iodized salt to every family. The iodine content in salt for domestic use should be at least 15 parts per million. The use of adequate amounts of iodized salt in daily food is an easy and economical way to prevent diseases caused by iodine deficiency. On this occasion, State Program Officer Dr. Vasudha while addressing said that iodine deficiency during pregnancy can have an adverse effect on the development of the brain and nervous system of the child growing in the womb. Its deficiency in children can affect learning ability, intellectual development and physical growth. In adults, it can cause thyroid problems and goiter.
To prevent these diseases, it is very important to create awareness among the people, check the quality of iodized salt and promote health education. He appealed to the people to use iodized salt at home, keep it in a dry and covered container and use salt in limited quantities. On this occasion, the Health Department team also tested the salt samples of pregnant women’s homes to check iodine in salt. On this occasion, Civil Surgeon Patiala Dr. Sally Jaitley welcomed all the guests and informed about the importance and use of iodine. On this occasion, Medical Superintendent Dr. Vikas Goyal, District Immunization Officer Dr. Kushaldeep Kaur, AHO Dr. Inderpreet Randhawa, State Technical Officer Dr. Pawandeep Kaur, SMO Dr. Puneet Kaur, Dr. Nidhi, Dr. Nandini, Dr. Anudeep Kaur, District Mass Media Team and others were present.
