BAGUIO CITY, Jan. 24, 2019 (PIA)- As goiter and other thyroid disorders remain a health concern in the country, the Department of Health is engaging local health workers and other stakeholders to strengthen the awareness and prevention campaign down to the community level.
DOH conducted a "Partners Forum and Basic Thyroid Course" for Cordillera provincial/ municipal health officers and barangay health workers at Venus Parkview Hotel, Wednesday, in line with the observance of Goiter Awareness Week.
The forum included learning sesions on the epidemiology (ill effects, prevention and detection of signs and symptoms) of Goiter/Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) and the government's strategies and policy direction that are beinf pushed to address such health concern in the country.
DOH Thyroid Disorder Prevention and Control Program Manager Dr. Clarito Cairo Jr. explained that thyroid disorder, which globally is listed among the neglected non – communicable diseases, is among the public health concerns in the country that needs to be addressed. It affects 8.53 percent of the adult population and that thyroid cancer is the eighth of the top cancer cases for both sexes.
Aside from goiter and cancer, thyroid disorder also leads to heart disease, infertility, mental health concerns, congenital hypothyroidism, mentally deficient babies, pre – term delivery and miscarriage, Cairo added.
For the government strategies against such health concern, Cairo said there is the National Salt Iodization Program that aims to address the concern of IDD. At the same time, DOH, with health partners from the public and private sector, is continuously embarking on IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities at the household and community level.
He also disclosed that in line with the Universal Health Care program of President Rodrigo Duterte, DOH and its partners are pushing for the approval of a national policy on Thyroid Disorder Prevention and Control that envisions a comprehensive health care program that covers prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
The National Goiter Awareness Week is being observed every 4th week of January and this year’s theme is “Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin”.
For the DOH led Goiter Awareness Week advocacy promotions for Baguio and Cordillera, Cairo was also joined in a press conference by Iodine Global Network national Coordinator Dr. Teofilo San Luis Jr., Philippine Thyroid Association President Dr. Wenceslao Llauderes, DOST – FNRI Director Mario Capanzana Nutrition Officer III Dianne Christine Cornejo of the National Nutrition Council. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
