Health Department initiates programmes to check iodine deficiency

While testing salt samples brought from students’ homes, which was introduced as a pilot project in July, can determine iodine level, identifying whether adequate amount is consumed is more important. “We are therefore planning to start the urine estimation programme,” said Dr A Somasundaram, Joint Director, Department of Public Health, who in charge of the iodine programme 

in the state.

The department has collaborated with the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta, US, to know whether the test is correct or not. “They have sent us a sample and we will test based on that and inform them… we are hoping to begin the programme in November,” he added.

This year, the State Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) lab has taken up two salt branding studies at five districts. “We have identified that 95 per cent of the shops sell salt with the prescribed levels of iodine; our only problem is with the rock salt,” he added. 

“We introduced these tests to check the quality of salt being sold in retail shops,” said Dr K Kolandaisamy, Director, Department of Public Health. 

This is done as part of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Programme, supported by the State IDD lab.