Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 23rd October, 2008 :The ‘Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders month’ concluded with exhibition at four places today on Goitre and IDD, where posters, handbills, booklets and informative literature on IDD was displayed and, where, on the spot testing of iodised salt was done to check the iodine content of salt used by the people. Lectures were also delivered to the public at these places.
The exhibitions were held at I.S.B.T.-43, I.S.B.T.-17, Grain Market -26 & Bapu Dham sector -26. Iodine Deficiency presented by "Goitre" has a prevalence rate of 14.2% in Chandigarh, which labels the area as endemic for these disorders. It is not a city’s problem but national as well as global problem.
Sh. R.S. Verma, Director Public Relations, Chandigarh, inaugurated the exhibition at I.S.B.T.-43. Dr. M.S. Bains Director Health Services & other officers of Health Department accompanied him. Mr. R.S. Verma expressed his confidence that by continuous efforts of the department, Chandigarh would soon achieve non – endemic status i.e. Prevalence rate of IDD will fall below 10% which labels the area as non-endemic.
To create awareness regarding Iodine Deficiency disorders, the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme Cell, under NRHM, launched a month long awareness campaign in the city. School children of 5 schools were educated about correct use of iodised salt and about various disorders due to Iodine Deficiency. Posters, Badges, Books & Handbills and on the spot iodine testing kits too were provided to each school for awareness. Awareness through advertisement in papers, radio talks, and advertisement through airing of taped messages on IDD was done under the programme. Miking was also carried out in 5 slums and colonies of Chandigarh