Twenty-two percent of Sudan’s population suffers from iodine deficiency. During the Consumer Protection Society forum yesterday, Head of the anti-nutrient deficiency unit at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdullah, said the figures are in accordance with two results of a survey to determine the levels of iodine deficiency diseases conducted in 1997.

He added that about 242.400 children are born each year with disorders caused by iodine deficiency, and 7,000 children may become mentally ill, 24,000 of which may suffer from severe mental retardation and 210,000 newborns will grow-up suffering from mild mental defects.

Abdullah called for political support and commitment to strengthen food with micronutrients and the issuance of the necessary legislation on this subject.