LAMITAN CITY, Basilan (PIA) – Over 90 patients suffering from iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) here benefited from the ThyroMobile project spearheaded by the Iodine Global Network (IGN), in partnership with Salinas Foods, Inc. (SFI), the provincial government of Basilan, and the city government.
The project, which aims to enhance thyroid health care delivery to vulnerable communities, offered free health services, including medical consultations and treatment for IDD.
Provincial Administrator Manny Muarip, in his welcome message, said Basilan is among the 15 provinces identified by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute with a high prevalence of IDD, emphasizing the timely intervention of the project.
Dr. Teofilo San Luis, Jr., IGN Country Representative, led the event and explained the importance of iodine in preventing IDD and its devastating effects on thyroid health.
He emphasized that iodine deficiency is the most common cause of mental retardation and growth retardation. He added that iodine deficiency during pregnancy can have severe effects on both mothers and babies.
“Iodine deficiency’s most vicious effect is retarded commission and growth. The intelligence and mental abilities of a child depend on the thyroid of the mother. Prevent mommy from getting goiter; keep baby’s mind healthy,” he said.
The ThyroMobile project provided diagnostic procedures, including neck ultrasound, TSH and FT4 blood tests, and quantitative household salt testing for iodine.
A total of 90 patients were examined, with 55 catered to by the City Health Office and 35 from the District Office of Lamitan City.
One of the beneficiaries, Janet Olmedo, expressed her gratitude towards the ThyroMobile project, which helped her manage her malady.
“I’ve been suffering from goiter for 18 years, and I’m grateful for the help provided by the ThyroMobile activity,” she said.
Moreover, other beneficiaries of the project said that the activity has provided them with valuable information on how to prevent IDD among women of reproductive age, particularly pregnant and lactating women.
ThyroMobile is a nutrition program created through the collective effort of different organizations such as Iodine Global Network Philippines (IGN), the Philippine Thyroid Association, the Rotary Club of University District Manila, Thyroid Federation International, Merck Inc., and Salinas Foods, Inc. to fight iodine deficiency disorders in the Philippines. (EDT/NDR/MGA-PIA Basilan)
