ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Thyroid Disorder Advocacy Council (PCEDM) and Capiz doctors intensify thyroid health awareness campaign in the province during the two-day fora in celebration of the Goiter Awareness Week 2025.
The event, which aimed to raise awareness about thyroid health and provide free medical services, drew together healthcare professionals and members of the community alike.
The first day featured a Medical Forum at Nesta’s Hilltop in Roxas City, where esteemed specialists discussed crucial topics on the Philippine Iodine Nutrition Status and Salt Iodization Program, and Thyroid Disorder Diagnosis and Management, among others.
Day two shifted focus to the public, with a Lay Forum for barangay health workers (BHWs) and mall-goers at the Robinsons Activity Area in Roxas City, free thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) screenings, and thyroid checks.
Salinas Foods, Inc. and ThyroMobile also conducted iodine content testing for household salt using a WYD iodine checker machine and announced the results right after.
Moreover, Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco acknowledged the importance of iodine monitoring during the Lay Forum and announced that the Provincial Health Office is now planning to procure iodine checker machines.
Nolasco also recognized the BHWs who attended the Lay Forum as they are all health promotion officers of their barangays.
“As health promotion officers, we are focused on the non-communicable diseases program, this will inspire all of you, ang mga BHW because hindi lang diabetes, hindi lang hypertension, may ara gali kita ginatawag nga thyroid problem,” he added, as he is hopeful that the advocacy of the PCEDM will help impart knowledge to them.
(As health promotion officers, we are focused on the non-communicable diseases program, this will inspire all of you, the BHWs, because it is not just about diabetes or hypertension – we also have what we call thyroid problems.)
Based on the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, in 2018, it was shown that lactating mothers in the province of Capiz have insufficient iodine intake and about 24 percent have urinary iodine excretion (UIE) levels below 50 ug/L.
Further, Nolasco also noted that as one of the interventions of the provincial government, the Provincial Nutrition Council has passed an Executive Order for the organization of the Capiz Provincial Bantay Asin Task Force to monitor the implementation of the salt iodization program and the RA No. 8172 or the Asin Law in the province. (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)
