KHAR: The health experts on Tuesday emphasised on use of iodised salt to reduce risks of several chronic diseases among the tribal people.

They expressed these views while addressing a sensitisation seminar on the importance of iodised salt organised by the Maternal and Neonatal Child Healthcare (MNCH) programme, Fata Secretariat, at the Agency Headquarters Hospital here.

Tribesmen, elders, political workers, media persons, salt factories owners, traders and officials of local health department and representatives of MNCH showed up.

Additional agency surgeon Dr Ikramullah Safi, senior public health nutritionist Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, MNCH representative Dr Sohil Ahmed Khan, social activists Haji Habibullah Khan Asi and Child Rights Committee’s agency coordinator Hanifullh Jan spook on the occasion.

Dr Ahmed said the purpose of the seminar was to make people aware about the importance of iodised salt. He said that currently over half of the country’s population suffered from iodine deficiency, affecting their physical and mental health.

He noted that iodine deficiency in the tribal areas, especially in the remote and hilly regions, was high compared to other parts of the country.

Other speakers highlighted the importance of iodised salt among pregnant women for their and newborns’ better health. They said that iodine deficiency could significantly affect the learning ability of children. They asked the participants to ensure use of iodized salt in their respective areas especially among the expectant women. The speakers urged the government to launch awareness campaigns about the importance of iodised salt in daily life.

They also called upon the factory owners and traders to sell only iodised salt to people.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2015

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