Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) is celebrated every fourth week of January by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 on December 11, 2016. This year’s GAW theme “Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin” focuses on the importance of using iodized salt in preventing thyroid disorders such as goiter and other ill effects of Iodine deficiency.
In Observance of GAW 2020, the Department of Health in collaboration with different organizations including the National Nutrition Council conducted a Partners Forum and Basic Thyroid Course for Primary Care Physicians and other Health Care Professionals in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. Thyroid Lay Forum for Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center patients, relatives and hospital staff was held on January 21, 2020, while Basic Thyroid Course for Health Care Professionals and Barangay Health Workers was conducted on January 22, 2020 at Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City. The assembly aims to address the ill effects, prevention, signs and symptoms of goiter and the risk factors of Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD). It is a continues effort to eradicate IDD in Zamboanga Peninsula as it is one of the regions with the highest prevalence of IDD in the country based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey in 2013.
When iodine requirements in the body are not met, the thyroid may no longer be able to synthesize sufficient amount of thyroid hormone which may lead to functional and developmental abnormalities such as thyroid disorders. The most common type of thyroid disorder especially in the Philippines is the goiter or bosyo in Filipino. Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland which can easily be identified when there is swelling in front of the neck. Symptoms of goiter includes difficulty in breathing and swallowing, coughing, hoarseness and a tight feeling in the throat.
The lack of iodine in the diet is the usual cause of goiter. To prevent this, people are advised to eat food rich in iodine such as seafoods, dairy products, meat, bread and eggs. Using of iodized salt in meals is a practical way of obtaining iodine from the daily diet. The National Nutrition Council (NNC) IX together with the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) conducts continues monitoring to the iodized salts sold in the markets in Zamboanga Peninsula to test if the salt reaches the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation 30-70 ppm iodine level. This aims to ensure that consumers will have enough iodine for their consumption.
Let us together fight the micronutrient deficiencies especially the IDD in our country. Follow the Kumainment number 7: “Gumamit ng iodized salt” to eradicate iodine deficiency.
