A one-day state level sensitisation meeting of National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Program (NIDDCP), Manipur was organised by the National Rural Health Mission (IDD cell) at the MACS Conference Hall, R&D Wing, Lamphelpat. Speaking at the sensitisation meeting, Additional Director of Health, Dr Manikanta said it is a very complex problem but can be cured. The said syndrome needs to be eradicated by organising such programmes at the community level to educate people about its preventive measures so that it will be eradicated from the grass roots.

Giving an overview of NIDDCP, Dr L Ashananda Singh, the regional director, Health & Family Welfare, GOI said Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) like goiter, cretinism and mental retardation are easily prevented by using iodised salt in cooking to prevent the tragic consequences of iodine deficiency in all family members. He said that every year, thousands of child/adult dies or become crippled due to iodine deficiency. Iodine is a micro nutrient which is essential for normal growth, development and functioning of both brain and body. The average daily requirement for an adult is 150 micrograms of salt.

Dr L Ashananda Singh also highlighted that the objective of NIDDCP is to assess the magnitude of the IDD by surveying, to supply iodated salt in place of common salt, to assess extent of IDD and the impact of iodated salt after every five years by survey, to monitor iodated salt in urinary and to publicize through health education and wide publicity.