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NCR 8thGAWThe Thyroid Council of the Philippines (TCP) in collaboration with the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Zone 1 and partner agencies including the National Nutrition Council led the nationwide celebration of the Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) through a kick-off ceremony on 22 January 2014.

GAW is a national event held every 4th week of January by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in December 2006. This weeklong celebration is held every year to raise the awareness and consciousness of the public on the prevention and control of goiter and other iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). The theme of the 2014 GAW, “Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin”, emphasizes the importance of using iodized salt in preventing simple goiter and other IDD.

The morning session of the kick-off event was held at Epifanio delos Santos Elementary School (EDSES) in Malate, Manila and featured a quiz bee, dance and song numbers, salt testing for iodine, iodized salt distribution and thyroid screening among school children. The afternoon session was held at the PNA Auditorium and was attended by pregnant mothers. An episode of TV program “Busog Lusog” on the importance of iodine especially during pregnancy was shown to the mothers. To cap the event, TCP Chair Dr. Teofilo San Luis, Jr. gave a lecture on goiter and IDD and the importance of using iodized salt to prevent goiter.

Using iodized salt is a practical way of preventing goiter. Goiter sugpuin, isip patalinuhin, Iodized Salt gamitin!