BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The Iodine Global Network and Salinas Food with their other partners brought  the Thyromobile Mission at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) on  Friday (May 19) to  further awareness on  thyroid and iodine deficiency disorders.

The Thyromobile Mission  provided orientation about thyroid and its functions, the importance of iodine sufficiency, and on thyroid disorders and  implications to  pregnant and lactating women and women of reproductive age.  

The participants were  also  shown  how to check the right amount of iodization on salts as mandated by the country’s ASIN Law. They were also enjoined into screening and diagnosis of thyroid disorders. 

Dr. Teofilo San Luis,  Iodine Global Network Country Representative of the Philippines,  said  the  Baguio event was the second  leg of the Thyromobile Mission  in  its  goal to  cover the top 15 provinces in the country with lowest median UIC (Urinary Iodine Concentration) among lactating women 15 to 49 years,  based on the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

In the FNRI 2018 – 2019 data, Benguet ranked 12th  with median UIC of 84 micrograms/liter. Mountain Province ranked 7th  with 71 micrograms/liter - both below the 100 median UIC for an adequate iodine intake.

Iodine deficiency leads to disorders such as goiter, hypothyroidism, impaired mental function, retarded physical development, psychomotor defect and reproductive failures.

San Luis pointed  out that adequate use or intake of iodized salt is very important in combatting iodine deficiency but Filipino households remain to have low awareness or utilization of iodized salt.

Based on DOST – FNRI data, 64.9 percent or around 6 out of 10 Filipino households are aware of iodized salt and 55.7% or  one out of  two  claim that they are using iodized salt,  but in terms of use by  household,  33.2% or  one out of every  three households is using iodized salt adequately, San Luis added. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)