Towards the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders in India

Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are an important public health problem in India with an estimated 270 million people at risk of IDD. India has adopted the strategy of salt iodization for control of IDD and has the goal of "Universal iodization of salt by 1995 and elimination of IDD by 2000". There is a high degree of political commitment which need to continue if the goal is to be achieved. Currently the ban on ale of un-iodized salt is only applicable to salt on human consumption. There is a need for extending the ban to include salt for animal consumption as IDD affects livestock as well. India has the installed capacity to produce its requirement of 5 million tonnes iodised salt. Communication strategies have to be strengthened especially to educate people who have concerns about of iodine toxicity. The success to a large extent depends on the quality control and monitoring of iodine content of salt at all stages from production to consumption. NGO's and the community have to be encouraged to participate in this process. To sustain the elimination of IDD, a partnership of various stakeholders IDD elimination is essential.