Cebu City- With the aim to increase public awareness on the prevention and control of goiter and Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD), the National Nutrition Council 7 and the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force 7 (RBATF 7) celebrated the Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) on 26-30 January 2015. Presidential Proclamation No. 1188 signed in 2006 declared every 4th week of January as GAW. 

Themed "Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin", this year's observance was highlighted with a media advocacy that emphasized on the utilization of quality iodized salt. Based on the latest random test conducted by the RBATF 7 thru the Department of Science and Technology 7, only about 1/4 of the salts in the market in Central Visayas were adequately iodized.

The week-long celebration commenced through an AGIO Forum with Dr. Parolita A. Mission (NPC, NNC 7), Dr. Marlon T. Co (President, Cebu Medical Society) and Mr. Eric Brian Umerez (Cebu Based OIC, Salinas Foods, Inc.) as panel members. The conference was organized by NNC 7 with the Philippine Information Agency-Central Visayas and DYMR Radyo ng Bayan to apprise the public thru the media on the goiter and Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) situation in the region, status of the salt iodization program and the role of the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force and to promote the use of quality iodized salt.

The event was followed by a series of media advocacy including radio and television guestings, cooking demo of iodine-rich menu over Buena Mano Balita of GMA 7,press releases, and social media posts and lay fora in the different hospitals in the region. This was actively taken part by the members of the RBTF 7, local government units, media and other stakeholders.

Iodine deficiency disorder continues to be a nutrition challenge in the country. This is a broad spectrum of deficiencies resulting from lack of iodine in the diet which leads to the reduction of intellectual and physical capacity affecting everyone who is iodine-deficient. This is manifested as goiter, mental retardation, physical and mental defects, and cretinism.

Iodine is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in the normal metabolism of body cells. Metabolism is the process of converting food into energy. Humans need iodine for normal thyroid function, and for the production of thyroid hormones.The use of iodine is a practical way of getting iodine from the daily diet to prevent goiter and other conditions brought about by the lack of iodine. Widespread information and education is needed to capacitate the public about the effects of goiter and other IDDs. //NJVD