DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The Health Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Halal Food Authority, and Nutrition International organized an awareness session and walk at the District Health Office (DHO) on Wednesday in connection with World Iodine Deficiency Day.
Speakers at the event, including District Health Officer Mehmood Jan Bettani and Universal Salt Iodization Program’s Zonal Manager Musawir Atta, opined that using iodized salt is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent iodine deficiency, said a news release here.
Iodine is an essential mineral that is important for human growth and development. Iodine deficiency can cause a variety of diseases, including mental and physical weakness, mental retardation, infertility, and hypothyroidism.
In Pakistan, about 50 million people are iodine deficient, and 57% of these are children under five years of age. Iodine deficiency in pregnant women can have serious consequences for their children, including mental retardation and cretinism.
The speakers at the event urged the public to use iodized salt to prevent iodine deficiency and its associated health problems.
In addition to the awareness session and walk, the organizers also distributed pamphlets and brochures on the importance of iodine and the benefits of using iodized salt.