The National Nutrition Council X joins the country in the observance of the Goiter Awareness Week on 24 to 30 January 2022 with the theme “Leeg ay Tutukan, Goiter ay Lunasan”. Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1188, the Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) is celebrated every fourth week of January. The celebration is done to increase the public’s awareness to prevent and control Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD).
Deficit in the intake of iodine results to IDD. IDD is the leading cause of goiter worldwide. The thyroid gland uses iodine in the bloodstream to make thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH). When the body is low on iodine, the thyroid will work twice as hard to produce TSH. The cells will then grow and multiply, eventually leading to a goiter. People who have goiter may often have an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is manifested by a mass or swelling in the neck. Patients with goiter may experience tiredness, a decrease or increase in weight, low or increased appetite, depression, dryness of skin and hair, sleepiness, diarrhea or constipation and menstrual irregularities.
Goiters can be prevented with adequate intake of iodine, fortified salts and also consuming foods rich in iodine, like tuna, shrimp, seaweed, cheese and cow’s milk.
Here in Northern Mindanao, the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force (RBATF) X annually conducts a semestral monitoring to ensure that only adequately iodized salt reaches the households, and also to sustain the operationalization of the Saktong Iodine sa Asin Campaign in the region which is set to contribute to the elimination of IDD in the region.
Further, the campaign on the consumption of iodized salt is also strengthened through the Ten (10) Kumainments, specifically Kumainment number seven (7) which emphasizes the need to consume adequately iodized salt, which states “Gumamit ng Iodized Salt”. Other information, education, and campaign materials regarding the use of adequately iodized salt were also distributed through the region, to intensify the campaign.
Let us sustain all these efforts and be part of combating IDDs and ensure that all Filipinos live a goiter-free life. (NO I Liezel Joy D. Reyes)
References:
Department of Interior and Local Government. Goiter Awareness Week. (n.d.). Retrieved 14 January 2022 from https://www.dilg.gov.ph/events/Goiter-Awareness-Week/544/
Department of Health. DOH leads the Observance of Goiter Awareness Week. (n.d.). Retrieved14 January 2022 from https://doh.gov.ph/node/16406
Makati Medical Center. (n.d.). Retrieved 14 January 2022 from https://www.makatimed.net.ph/news-and-exhibits/news/goiter-awareness-week
