Creation of local coalition to eradicate iodine deficiency sought

By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 22 (PNA) – Albay board member and chairman of the committee on health Herbert Borja is calling for the creation of a local coalition to help government eradicate iodine deficiency.

Borja made this call in connection with the Goiter Awareness Week set every third week of January.

According to him, the proposed coalition will be composed of government, private organizations, health providers and business establishments.

“We need a strong program to fully eradicate iodine deficiency in the province,” Borja said.

The local solon also urged all food establishments, including food catering services, in the province to use iodized salt regularly. “We also encouraged parents to prepare iodine rich food such as “sea weeds and dilis.”

Goiter and other manifestations of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are a matter of national concern which cannot be left to one governmental agency or one professional organization to take care of.

Borja said a coordinated approach from different stakeholders is needed to eliminate IDD.

In another development, the Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health and Development (CHD) in Bicol said in a press statement that a widespread information and educational effort is felt needed to dramatize the effects of goiter and IDD in the health of people afflicted with them.

The DOH, together with partner agencies and some medical societies involved in thyroid diseases, worked for the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 1188 on December 11, 2006 declaring every 4th week of January as Goiter Awareness Week.

The first Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) celebration was held in conjunction with the 8th Congress of the Asia-Oceania Thyroid Association (AOTA) in 2007 which the Philippines hosted for the first time.

Realizing the seriousness and magnitude of the problem of IDD in the Philippines, a number of medical societies, governmental & non-governmental organizations, professional associations, salt industry and international agencies have come together and formed the Philippine Thyroid Council.

This national coalition of those involved in the fight against goiter and IDD was established during the 2nd national celebration of the Goiter Awareness Week in 2008.

With a consolidated front, the national coalition takes on the fight against goiter and other IDDs on a higher level and with new momentum.

This year, the 3rd Goiter Awareness Week will be focused on thyroid and pregnancy with the theme: “Isip at Talino ng Anak Nakasalalay sa Thyroid ni Nanay.” Its launching will be held in conjunction with the Annual Convention of the Philippine Thyroid Association on January 17 at the Century Park Hotel with a symposium on Thyroid and pregnancy to follow in the afternoon. (PNA)