Iodine deficiency affects children’s mental growth
Iodine deficiency disorder affects mental growth of children and they become dull minded while it also creates gynaecological complications resulting in abortion as well as other problems.
Director General (Health) Punjab, Dr Muhammad Aslam Chaudhary said this while addressing awards ceremony of Iodine Salt Processors, here Friday.
Dr Aslam said that government has launched iodized salt programme successfully with the cooperation of Micronutrient Initiatives (MI) in 20 districts of the province under Pure Food Rules and this programme would be expended in the remaining 16 district till June 2009.
National Programme Officer Dr. Tauseef Janjua informed that health Department Punjab and MI with the collaboration of salt processors (salt industries) launched this programme and now 80 percent edible salt prepared in Punjab is iodized which will help control mental weakness and abortion of pregnant women. He appealed to the people to use only iodized salt in their food. He added that government has registered district-wise salt processors throughout the province.
On this occasion, five owners of salt processors were awarded shields and net cash awards.
Sarfraz Ahmad Aulakh of Sheikhupura achieved first prize, Zulfiqar Ali of Khanewal and Pir Mehdi Shah of Khushab got second and third position respectively whereas special encouragement award was given to Fida Hussain of Rawalpindi and Haji Farooq Ahmad of Lahore.