Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD):

Causes:

– Lack of iodine in food.

Consequences:

– Cretinism (severely stunted physical and mental growth)

– Goiter

– Impaired cognitive function (ways of perceiving and judging)

Government action in prevention of IDD

– Universal salt iodization as sole strategy to address IDD.

– Distribution of iodized salt in remote districts at subsidized rates.

– Implementation of Iodized Salt Social marketing Campaign.

– Monitoring of iodized salt at the entry points, regional and national levels.

– Iodized salt warehouse constructions in various parts of country.

– Development of Iodized Salt Act in 1998.