Chennai sources stated that Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) is a major public health problem in the state and this is why daily consumption of iodized salt was the devised strategy. Meanwhile a large population of children face iodine deficiency as iodized salt is not consumed daily. Furthermore the directorate of public health has started a new project to test if school students have a regular intake of iodized salt, under the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Program.
As per report the project has been started on a pilot project basis in Tiruvallur and Kanchipuram. Moreover IDD prevalence will rise if consumption of iodine through salt iodization weakens. Moreover a strategy to meet the demand for iodized salt as per the needs for health and nutrition is necessary.
Further the check of salt samples from retail
shops for the content of iodine will be done every month along with the study
of urine samples to check the intake among students. Hence the study is being
supported by the iodine deficiency disorder lab that will conduct checks for
iodine deficiency disorders. Moreover the study will soon be extended to other
districts shortly, said public health director Dr K Kolandaisamy.
