A state-level review programme on the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) was organized at the Primary Health Centre, Garacharma, on Monday by the Directorate of Health Services in association with the UT Health Mission. The event sought to assess the progress of iodine deficiency elimination efforts and reinforce the importance of using adequately iodized salt to ensure better public health outcomes across the Islands.
The programme was inaugurated by the Director of Health Services, Suja Antony, who emphasized that iodine deficiency remains one of the most preventable causes of brain damage and mental retardation worldwide. She highlighted that despite progress in awareness, continuous vigilance is needed to ensure universal access to iodized salt, particularly in remote and underserved regions of the Union Territory. Field functionaries were urged to continue routine household salt testing through the salt testing kit method to monitor iodine levels.
The event featured several speakers representing health, civic, and industry sectors. Vice-Chairperson of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, Radhika, appreciated the Directorate’s ongoing efforts to reduce iodine deficiency disorders in the Islands. She also commended the ANM trainees who performed a skit on the importance of iodine, particularly among adolescents and pregnant women.
President of the Andaman and Nicobar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chandra Sekharan, extended support to the Administration’s efforts to ensure iodized salt availability across local markets. He urged the business community to uphold its social responsibility by distributing only iodized salt to consumers, thus aligning public health objectives with commercial practices.
Deputy Director (Family Welfare) and Programme Officer for NIDDCP, H.M. Siddaraju, elaborated on the critical role iodine plays during pregnancy, explaining how deficiency can affect both mental and physical development of the fetus. He outlined the ongoing initiatives by the Directorate to enhance public awareness and ensure adequate salt iodization levels through surveillance and field campaigns.
Chief Medical Officer In-charge at PHC Garacharma, M. Joy, provided an in-depth overview of the programme’s objectives and practical guidelines for maintaining iodine levels during food preparation. He stressed the importance of storing iodized salt in airtight containers and advised that it should be added toward the end of cooking to prevent iodine loss due to heat exposure.
The event also included a creative awareness segment where ANM trainees performed an educational skit addressing iodine’s significance for growth and cognitive development. The trainees displayed informative placards that conveyed key messages about nutrition and maternal health, effectively engaging the audience in the process.
Earlier, Technical Officer (NIDDCP) Shalini Lall welcomed the participants, setting the tone for a collaborative discussion on public health interventions. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Health Educator P. Yusuf, who acknowledged the active participation of field workers, health staff, and partner agencies in sustaining awareness across communities.
The Directorate of Health Services reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every household in the Islands has access to adequately iodized salt, underlining that prevention remains the most effective strategy in addressing iodine deficiency disorders. The initiative aligns with national goals of the NIDDCP, which seeks to eliminate iodine deficiency as a public health problem through consistent monitoring, intersectoral coordination, and education.
With renewed emphasis on the use of iodized salt and continued field-level engagement, the Islands’ public health administration aims to consolidate gains in combating iodine deficiency. The programme’s focus on preventive measures and community participation marks another step toward achieving sustainable health outcomes for future generations.
