Gambia's National Nutrition Agency rates IDD a major health problem in this West African country with only 22% of households in The Gambia using iodized salt and 16% of the population has visible goiters, according to FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda), posted on all.africa.com. The goal is 80%.

. . . micronutrient deficiency diseases limit individual potential and pose a major impediment to increase in productivity and national development. He said pregnant women living in iodine deficient regions are more likely to give birth to children suffering from mental impairment, ranging from mild mental retardation to cretinism characterized by severe brain damage and dwarfism.

NaNA reported that 90% of the salt consumed in The Gambia is imported.

The article noted support for the NaNA effort from ICCIDD and UNICEF.