A new survey has found that Qatar is free of iodine deficiency, said Supreme Council of Health (SCH) officials yesterday. The finding is a positive indication of children and women’ health in the country, Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director, Public Health, the SCH, told a press conference held to announce the findings. The survey, based upon standards specified by World Health Organisation (WHO), tested 1,200 schoolchildren aged six to 14. The survey was conducted as a follow-up to a study in 1996 in Qatar that found 30 to 40 percent iodine deficiency. Spot urine specimens were collected to measure iodine concentration. On the following day, urine specimens were collected from a subsample of the surveyed students from 16 schools to measure their urinary iodine concentration.

“To control the situation, it was made compulsory that all imported salt should contain iodine and it has made a positive impact,” he added. However, the recent survey has also found that consumption of salt has increased. On average 5mg should be consumed per day, but people in Qatar take 13mg.

“Now our challenge is to decrease salt usage and find ways to stabilise lower salt usage.