Iodine deficiency is the main cause of brain damage in childhood. It results in impaired cognitive and motor development which affects a child’s performance at school. In adulthood, it affects productivity and the ability to find a job. Iodine-deficient people may forfeit 15 IQ points, and nearly 50 million people suffer from some degree of iodine deficiency-related brain damage. It is particularly important that pregnant women receive enough iodine in their diet, as iodine is a key nutrient in the fetal development process, especially with respect to the brain. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy not only results in loss of IQ points in the brain of a fetus, but also in low birth weight, prematurity and increased perinatal and infant mortality. – World Health Organization
Last September 16, 2020, the agency spearheaded the 2nd Regional Bantay Asin Task Force Meeting via Google Meet. It was participated by partner agencies in the region: DILG, NCIP, FDA, DOH, DSWD, DTI, and POPCOM. The meeting was focused on the demonstration of how to use the WYD Iodine Checker (a hand-held instrument that quantitatively measures the salt iodine content on the basis of a colorimetric method, and compared its performance with iodometric titration) facilitated by Ms. Ariene Lobredo Lariba - Marketing Supervisor, and Ms. Flerida Ann Deniega of Salinas Food Corporation through a video presentation. They also entertained questions from the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force regarding the technicalities of the WYD Iodine Checker. The said equipment will be use during salt monitoring in the region.
Dr. Maria Teresa L. Ungson, Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator of NNC XI, emphasized the importance of adopting strategies and new technologies in implementing the ASIN Law at the local level. This includes the organization of a Regional Bantay Asin Task Force which shall be composed similarly of sectors included in the TWG-NSIP at the national level.
The National Nutrition Council plays a vital role in the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition in the country, particularly iodine deficiency disorders, through the cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization and as the advisory board on it as stated in the Section 3 of the Republic Act No. 8172 - "An Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide (ASIN)”.
As targeted in the PPAN 2017-2022, the Region aims a 19.9% form 24.6% for children 6 to 12 years old, and 19.9% from 41.9 for lactating mothers by 2022, both for Iodine Deficiency Disorder. MTLU/JWRF/AET
