PESHAWAR, Oct 21: Speakers at a function held at the Khyber Teaching Hospital on Tuesday asked health workers and the media to spread awareness about the use of iodized salt to save the people from goitre, impaired mental and physical functioning and pregnancy problems caused by iodine deficiency.

The function was held to mark the global Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) Day.

NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan, the chief guest, urged the health workers, religious scholars and the media to educate the  people regarding the preventive measures against the diseases.

He said the provincial government was trying its best to disseminate information about the precautionary measures.

“Once the primary healthcare is strengthened, 70 per cent of the diseases can be eliminated. We have overlooked the role of the basic and regional health units, which has lead to the prevalence of diseases,” he said.

Health Services Director-General Dr Jalilur Rehman said the health department, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, had launched salt iodization programmes in 12 districts, where salt processors and health professionals had been trained.

He urged the people to use iodized salt and concentrate on preventive measures.

Provincial Health Director Dr Abdul Saboor Bacha said the department was trying to spread awareness and provide support to the salt processors in this regard.

Unicef representative Dr Abdul Jamil said there must be consistent efforts to spread awareness and the focus should be on the primary and preventive health concepts.

He said Unicef would support the NWFP government in the implementation of the universal salt iodization (USI) programme over the next five years.

“The disorder lessens children’s resistance against infectious diseases and weakens their brain. The iodine deficient women have more stillbirths and other pregnancy problems,” said Dr Fayyaz Ali, the focal person for the IDD.

The disorder affected about half of the country’s population and 68 per cent of the students in the Northern Areas suffered from goitre, he said.

Dr Mohammad Rafique said a survey had revealed that 60 per cent of the children of the rich people and 72 per cent of the newborn babies suffered from the deficiency due to lack of awareness.

He said 38 countries had achieved the USI.

He said 10 million people in the hilly areas faced the disorder despite the launching of the USI programme in 1994.

He suggested a comprehensive strategy, involving the health, education, and food departments, besides the salt processors, to cope with the problem.

He said people suffering from the disorder had been found hard to educate and motivate and slow in executing their work.

He said iodized salt enhanced the reproductivity of women.