Photo : Collected
Speakers at a workshop here today unequivocally called for ensuring marketing of only the iodized salt to protect the public health from various disorders, particularly mental retardants and goitre.
The utmost emphasis should be given on close monitoring of the markets and other outlets so that none can get scope of selling non-iodized salt to the public. Besides, creating awareness among the public in general on the issue has become crucial.
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) organized the dissemination workshop on iodized salt Act held at its conference hall in association with UNICEF, Global Alliance for Improve Nutrition and Nutrition Alliance.
BSCIC Chairman Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Khan and Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi division Rejaul Alam Sarker addressed the workshop as the chief and special guests respectively with Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohinul Islam in the chair.
Sorwar Hossain, Salt Cell Head of BSCIC, highlighted the aspects of consuming iodized salt during his keynote presentation. He said people can test for the presence of iodine in salt using locally available materials.
Firstly one teaspoon of salt is mixed with five grains of cooked rice, then two drops of lime juice are squeezed on top. Iodine is present if the salt turns purple.
"Due to the lack of awareness among people about the need for iodine and the use of the right amount of iodized salt, Iodine deficiency has become one of the major problems in our country,"
he added. In his remarks, BSCIC Chairman Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Khan said adequate iodine coverage in households in the whole country is not satisfactory.
"We'll have to cover 90 percent of households in adequate iodized salt consumption," he added. He also called for cooperation from all the stakeholders in this regard.
Ashraf Ahmed Khan said despite the huge campaign there is a dearth of iodine salt in the markets. He urged the owners of salt industries to be responsive in this respect.
Advocacy programmes should be taken to grassroots level to meet the challenges of iodine deficiency. The present interim government alone cannot attain this objective, he added.
BSCIC Chairman Ashraf Khan said various investigations and surveys have shown that there is still a lack of awareness in various quarters, including the general public. However, current surveys highlight that iodized salt use has become much better than the previous years, he added.
He also said that it is undeniable that the overall and sustainable development of a country depends on the right talent and efficiency of the people of that country. Due to the lack of iodine, a large part of the people of Bangladesh is not able to play a proper role in production, he added.
"However, regular intake of a small amount of iodine can change this condition. Therefore, we can all play an effective role in the implementation of this programme in the future by setting a timely strategy," said Ashraf Khan.
Messenger/JRTarek
