In the effort to strengthen the Salt Iodization Program as the primary intervention to ensure iodine sufficiency and eradicate the Iodine Deficiency Disorders among the vulnerable population groups in the region, the NNC together with DOH 09 holds regular meetings with the members of the Regional Bantay Asin Task-Force (RBATF) to discuss status of program implementation as well as issues and concerns arising during its implementation.
The Department of Health (DOH 09) and the National Nutrition Council 09 convened a meeting the members of the Regional and Local Bantay Asin Task Force on 22 June 2018 at the Grand Astoria Hotel, Zamboanga City. A total of 12 RBATF members were in attendance.
The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of results in the conduct of monitoring done on the adequacy of iodine in iodized salt using the WYD Iodine Checker in the markets of Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay, Sindangan Zamboanga Del Norte and Dipolog City on December 19-21, 2017.
The monitoring result showed that most of the salts tested and sold in the market are either not adequately iodized or not iodized at all. Strict enforcement and compliance of Republic Act 8172 continue to be a problem in the region despite the presence of ordinances and resolutions in the Local Government Units (LGUs). Likewise with the many advocacies done in the region there are still many people in the community with negative attitude towards the utilization of iodized salt.
In addition, the results of the 8th National Nutrition Survey of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the DOST in 2015 showed that the prevalence rate of stunting among children aged below 5 years old in Zamboanga Peninsula is at 41.4% and the iodine deficiency disorders among children 6 years to 12 years old based on Urinary Iodine Excretion of <50 µg/L is at 55.5%. Zamboanga Peninsula marked the highest among regions with IDD.
The problem of Iodine Deficiency Disorder is significantly related to unavailability of adequately iodized salt in the market. The monitoring result was reported and submitted to DOH and FDA for appropriate and immediate action to concerned salt traders and producers who are not compliant of the law. The Task Force through the DOH-NNC and DOST will also conduct training orientation on the use of WYD Iodine checker for LGUs who are recipient of the equipment for proper testing and accurate result during monitoring in the region. The RBATF will do the semestral monitoring after the training as well.
