DOH Culminates Goiter Awareness Week Celebration In Dapitan

The Department of Health-9, in collaboration with the National Nutrition Council culminated its week-long celebration of Goiter Awareness Week at Dapitan City Resort Hotel, here.

Global Iodine Network Executive Director Dr. Teofilo San Luis said Dapitan City was chosen to be the site of the 2016 Goiter Awareness Week culmination activity to highlight the problem affecting the province and region 9 concerning Iodine Deficiency Disorders.(IDD)

Based on the 2013 National Nutrition Survey (NNS), Zamboanga Peninsula has poorest Iodine Nutritional Status measured by urinary iodine concentration among school children coupled with the fact that region 9 has the highest prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorder at 41%, lowest iodization utilization per household with Zamboanga del Norte among them.

San Luis pointed out that of the 22,000 households surveyed nationwide with 1,139 participants from region 9, ZamPen registered the lowest iodine excretion among school-aged children. He stressed that the school-age is the very indicator of the situation in the entire community.

The NNS also showed that only fifty percent (50%) of the population in the region is aware that the consumption and regular utilization of iodized salt will effectively prevent the deficiency.

Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Health Officer Dr. Eduardo E. Luayon admitted the low utilization of iodized salt in the province and urged stakeholders to maximize and sustain advocacy campaign. He also stressed the importance of iodized salt especially among school-age children and lactating mothers.

In 1995, a law was enacted to support the implementation of the Universal Salt Iodization program in the Philippines. Republic Act 8172 or an Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide requires all salt being used, sold or traded for human and animal consumption must be iodized.

Under Proclamation No. 1188 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the 4th week of January has been declared as Goiter Awareness Week. This year carries .the theme, ”Goiter ay Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin.” (ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)