Fourth week of January is declared as Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) through proclamation No. 1188 signed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 11th day of December 2006. This is to formulate guidelines and logistics to ensure the success of the yearly event which also includes the information dissemination to further spread the awareness and educate the masses about goiter and iodine deficiency disorders.
This year’s theme is entitled, “Leeg Kapain, Goiter Sugpuin: Isip ay Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt ay Gamitin?” which calls on everybody to be aware of the signs and symptoms of having a goiter and the importance of consuming iodine-rich foods and iodized salt. Salt iodization is just one of the country’s cost-efficient efforts to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders including goiter.
Goiter is a disorder in which the thyroid gland in the neck enlarges. This could be in the form of overall gland growth, or it could be the result of uneven cell proliferation that results in one or more nodules. Among the common causes of goiter are Iodine deficiency, Hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity), and Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid activity). The most prominent sign of goiter is swelling of the neck. While symptoms may include throat tightness, cough, voice hoarseness, trouble swallowing and difficulty in breathing.
If you feel like you are experiencing the signs and symptoms mentioned above might as well seek help from a healthcare professional to further assess your present condition. Here are some of healthcare institutions that will offer a FREE NECK AND THYROID SCREENING this week. Take the opportunity to have your neck checked!
METRO MANILA
- Cardinal Santos Medical Center (Out-Patient Department)
- January 24, 2023 – 9:00 to 11:00 AM
- January 25, 2023 – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
- Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital
- January 23-25, 2023
Meanwhile, a ThyroMobile Clinic Launching will happen at Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro courtesy of FIDEL Iodized Salt under Salinas Food Corporation in partnership with Philippine Thyroid Association, Iodine Global Network and Rotary District. A series of seminars and lay forum about goiter and hyper/hypothyroidism will be conducted as well as salt testing, thyroid surgical mission, and salt colloquim will be conducted in the province.
Written by: DMO II (PNFP) Jhanna Camela C. Torres
References:
Proclamation No. 1188, s. 2006. (2006). Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2006/12/11/proclamation-no-1188-s-2006/
Healthy Pilipinas. (2023). Goiter. Retrieved from https://www.healthypilipinas.ph/health-a-z/goiter
Goiter Awareness Week. (2023). FIDEL Iodized Salt Official [Facebook Page]. Facebook. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0eRrhkq1eKdKL3tWwzJiH8zrgii76JhxMCqbrLYrma2RZhFVQ45nWEhRsDmTAHxXol&id=100057094374468&mibextid=Nif5oz
Check the Neck! Goiter Awareness Week. (2023). CSMC – Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism [Facebook Page]. Facebook. Retrieved January 20, 2023 from https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02BwGeE4zUjKj7YmeGGoBs32t2TjGry4VQH1tn36sWs23ZkCtyBxKRuusp3QjChEpml&id=100071185085081&mibextid=Nif5oz
