Using a high-profile news conference in Abu Dhabi, Dr Mahmood Fikri, Executive Director for Health Policies at the Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates affirmed the priority of his ministry in combatting iodine deficiency disorders. Izzeldin Hussein, the ICCIDD regional official, participated in news conference. Gulfnews.com carried the story.

"Dr Fikri said significant progress has been made during the last period as the study showed that 94 pwr cent of the families use iodized salt and the average concentration of iodine in urine was about 21 per cent lower than the recommended international standards i.e. "100-199 micrograms".

"Around 41.7 per cent only have an average concentration of iodine in urine. Despite that high proportion of families using iodized salt yet the salt does not contain the recommended international percentrage i.e 15-40 mg/kg salt.

"According to the ICCIDD, iodine deficiency is the single most common cause of preventable mental retardation and brain damage in the world. It also decreases child survival, causes goiters, and impairs growth and development. Iodine deficiency in pregnant women causes miscarriages, stillbirths, and other complications. Children with iodine deficiency disorders can grow up stunted, apathetic, mentally retarded, and incapable of normal movements, speech, or hearing."