The 2013 Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) Survey on Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) showed that among the regions only Zamboanga Peninsula still had a problem on Iodine Deficiency Disorder with a prevalence of 41.1 for the 6 – 12 years old school children and at the household level the iodine level in its salt iodine is only 68ug/L, lower than the required of 100 ug/L. Iodine is an essential micronutrient for the body's growth and metabolism and for the development of the central nervous system during fetal development and deficiency of the micronutrient may result to abortion and stillbirth among pregnant women, retarded mental and physical growth and development in children as well as loss of 13.5 points reduction in IQ among in individuals.
Given these results, the Department of Health IX in partnership with National Nutrition Council IX intensified its advocacy campaign with the Local Government Units, salt traders, program implementers and other stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of the Salt Iodization Program and enforcement of the RA 8172 or the Republic Act Promoting the Salt Iodization Nationwide and for other purpose. The consumption of Iodized Salt is the cheapest and most effective interventionto counteract the widespread problem of IDD. Thus, one of the immediate activities to address the situation was the conduct of the orientation and training on the WYD Iodine Checker used in checking the amount of iodine fortified in salt. The checker will enable to determine if the iodized salt in the market is within the standard set by the DOH - Food and Drug Administration that will adequately provide the required iodine need of the population. The orientation/training activity was held on March 9, 2015 in Zamboanga City which was attended by selected Nutrition Action Officers, Local Health & Nutrition Personnel, Food and Drug Regional Officers, Iodized Salt Manufacturers and Traders and the members of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force among others. The activity also served as a forum to disseminate the results of the 8thFNRI National Nutrition Survey on Iodine Deficiency Disorder which showed that the Zamboanga Peninsula is the remaining region in the country with IDD problem. Good practices in the implementation of the Salt Iodization program in the other regions were also presented
The presence of two local iodized salt manufacturers and suppliers in the region namely the ARVIN and ZAMSO facilitated interaction among the traders and program implementers in assuring that adequately iodine fortified salt will be made available to the people. The presentation of the IDD situation likewise caused the traders to be more responsible and socially involved in the fight to eradicate iodine deficiency in the region.
The use of the WYD Iodine Checker was demonstrated by the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute research specialists – Ms Josie Pondevira and Ms. Maricar Carandang, using the salt samples brought by the participants from their respective localities. Majority of the sample tested revealed very low iodine content lower than the median iodine content of iodized salt at 15ppm required at household level and none of the samples attained the required 30–70 ppm at retailer site. The results of the WYD iodine checker confirmed the poor quality of iodized salt in the markets of the region and urged everybody to be aggressive with regards to advocacy and implementation of the Salt Iodization Program in the region. Engaging LGUs is one way of ensuring the availability of iodized salt in the market with continuous monitoring to strengthen and retain strong implementation of the program.
The support and commitment between government agency, stakeholders and the salt producers eases the plan for the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force to urgently implement the program. Training/Orientation in the other citiesof the region will also be scheduled for 2015 as well as the reactivation of the Local Salt Iodization Action Teams to strengthen implementation of the program which has earlier been enjoined by the Regional Development Council through a resolution Passed in its 150th Meeting on March 5, 2015in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
