The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) together with the Department of Health Regional Office I through the Health Program Section of Regulation, Licensing and Enforcement Division (RLED) conducted the Ilocos Region Universal Salt Iodization Consultative Meeting and Planning Workshop held at Hotel Veniz, Baguio City on February 20-21, 2014. The objective of the activity is to develop a detailed Regional Plan to be able to achieve Universal Salt Iodization (USI), or 90% of households using adequately iodized salt.

The Consultative Meeting was attended by the salt producers of provinces, cities and municipalities composed of Provincial Nutrition Action Officers, Provincial Nutritionists, Registered Sanitary Inspectors, and Provincial Health Nurses.

Mr. Edward Otico of GAIN reported the following results of 2008 National Nutrition Survey and 2011 Updating Survey:

High availability of iodized salt (89.8%), but low availability (46.7%) of “adequately” iodized salt. Median iodine content was 14.1ppm (below 15ppm minimum). 53.3% of salt have below 15ppm iodine.

Good median Urinary Iodine Excretion (UIE) for children 6-12 yrs old (159 ug/l, cut-off 100) and lactating women (112 ug/l, cut-off 100), but poor for pregnant women (88 ug/l, cut-off 150). Only 28.8% of pregnant women had sufficient iodine. For children and lactating women, 71.8% and 53% had sufficient iodine.

The highlights of the National Salt Iodization Program Strategic Plan 2011-2016 was discussed by Ms. Ethelreina A. Balisnomo, Nutrition Officer I of National Nutrition Council. This is to update the body on the status on the major accomplishments of the plan which include the priority actions and activities on the 5 components namely: 1. Technical Assistance, 2. Promotion and Advocacy, 3. Regulation and monitoring, 4. Program management and 5. Support activities.

Since the problems being addressed are affecting the regional population, regional agencies and local government units should invest on appropriate resources on the salt iodization program implementation. The participants were tasked to develop their respective action plans to address the issues on program implementation.

On the second day, Mr. Edward Otico demonstrated the use of the WYD iodine test kit to check the iodine content of salt samples collected from different salt producers in the region.

In closing, Dr. Amelia Dumaoang of DOH thanked everybody for their active participation and challenged the group to fastrack the implementation of the salt iodization program in their respective areas.