LUCENA CITY (PIA) — Health authorities in Quezon are intensifying their efforts to promote the use of iodized salt in a bid to prevent goiter and other iodine deficiency disorders among the people.
Speaking at PIA Quezon's Pinoy Cooltura radio program, Felix Irving Villaseñor, telemedicine coordinator of Quezon Medical Center, discussed plans to reinforce monitoring activities and launch various campaigns highlighting the importance of iodized salt in preventing disorders such as goiter.
Villaseñor added that the Quezon Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) would reactivate its Bantay Asin Task Force (BATF) to monitor salt production and distribution in compliance with Republic Act 8172 or the ASIN Law, especially at the barangay level.
"We will mobilize our Bantay Asin Task Force to monitor salt production and distribution in the province, focusing on the barangay level. Additionally, we will launch a series of advocacy campaigns to reduce the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders," Villaseñor said.
He said the BATF would actively monitor sari-sari stores, groceries, and other establishments to ensure the adequate iodization of salt being sold in retail stores.
To complement the BATF monitoring and advocacy efforts, the PNAO will also intensify the implementation of salt iodization program at the local level.
"We will closely monitor each town to verify the iodine content of salt in the market. We will also check whether local government units are utilizing the WYD iodine checker to ensure compliance with required iodized salt among local producers and distributors," said Kristin Nicole Estrella, a nutritionist-dietitian of PNAO.
She also urged LGUs to submit salt samples to PNAO for testing to ensure the adequacy of iodized salt in their local markets.
As part of the strengthened effort against iodine deficiency diseases, Villaseñor said that the IPHO will launch a telemedicine project this February, offering a convenient option for citizens seeking examinations for symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
The ASIN Law aims to contribute to the elimination of micronutrient malnutrition, particularly iodine deficiency disorders, through the cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization. The law mandates all food outlets, restaurants, and stores to provide consumers only with iodized salt that adheres to the standards set by the Food and Drug Administration. (AM, RO/PIA-Quezon)
Pinoy Cooltura with PIA Quezon is a weekly radio program by the Philippine Information Agency Quezon, streaming live every Monday, 2:00pm-3:00pm on DWLC 1017 kHz Radyo Pilipinas Lucena and Philippine Information Agency Quezon Facebook page.
