National iodine deficiency disorders control programme (niddcp)

Iodine deficiencies are very common, especially in Europe and Third World countries, where the soil and food supply have low iodine levels. Your body uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. That's why an iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, a condition in which the body can't make enough thyroid hormones

1. DR.ANJALATCHI MUTHUKUMARAN VICE PRINCIPAL ERA COLLEGE OF NURSING National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP)

2. Introduction: Iodine is an essential micronutrient required daily at 100-150 micrograms for normal human growth and development.  Deficiency of iodine can cause physical and mental retardation, cretinism, abortions, stillbirth, deaf mutism , squint & various types of goiter. As per the surveys conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services, Indian Council of Medical Research, Health Institutions and the State Health Directorates, it has been found that out of  414 districts   surveyed  in all the 29 States and 7 UTs,  337 districts are endemic   i.e where the prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) is more than 5% (Annexure-I).

3. Control Programme : Realizing the magnitude of the problem, the Government of India launched a 100 per cent centrally assisted National Goitre Control Programme (NGCP) in 1962.    In August, 1992 the National Goitre Control Programme (NGCP) was renamed as National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) with a view of wide spectrum of Iodine Deficiency Disorders like mental and physical retardation, deaf mutisim , cretinism, still births, abortions etc . .  The programme is being implemented in all the States/UTs for entire population.

4. Goal :   1. To bring the prevalence of IDD to below 5% in the country  2. To ensure 100% consumption of adequately iodated salt (15ppm) at the household level.

5. Objectives: 1 .      Surveys to assess the magnitude of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in the districts. 2.      Supply of iodated salt in place of common salt. 3.      Resurveys to assess iodine deficiency disorders and the impact of iodated salt after every 5 years in the districts. 4.      Laboratory monitoring of iodated salt and urinary iodine excretion. 5.       Health Education and Publicity.      

6. Policy  : On the recommendations of Central Council of Health in 1984, the Government took a policy decision to Iodate the entire edible salt in the country by 1992.   The     programme started in April, 1986 in a phased manner.  To date, the annual production of iodated salt in our country is 65 lakh metric tones per annum.

7. Nodal Ministry :  Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is the nodal Ministry for implementation of National IodineDeficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP).

8. Financial assistance to all States /UTs for the following: Human resource of State IDD Cell i.e Technical Officer, Statistical Asst. & LDC and State IDD monitoring laboratory i.e. Lab Technician & Lab Assistant.   Health education and publicity activities including global IDD Day activities.  Conducting district IDD survey/resurvey to assess magnitude of IDD.  Procurement of salt testing kits by State/UTs for IDD endemic districts for creating awareness at the community level about consumption of iodized salt and monitoring of salt for presence of adequate iodine at household level ( since 2013-14).  Performance based incentive to ASHA @ Rs. 25/- per month for conducting 50 salt samples testing by STK at household/community level (since 2013-14).

9. Achievements:    Over the years the Total Goiter Rate (TGR) in the entire country is reduced significantly.     Production of iodized salt in the country reached to 65.00 lakh MT which is adequate to meet the requirement of population.

10. CONTINUED Extensive IEC activities have been carried out to create awareness about the regular consumption of iodated salt in prevention and control of IDD through Doordarshan , All India Radio, Directorate of Field Publicity, Song and Drama, Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity.        

11. CONTINUED  States/UTs have been conducting laboratory monitoring of salt and urine to estimate iodine content and urinary iodine excretion (UIE) and also quality of iodated salt at household/community level.  In the year 2015-16, a total of 51163 salt samples and 15320 urine samples were analysed /tested by States/UTs and the results have indicated that the iodine content of salt samples up to the standard (iodine content > 15ppm) was in the range of 52 % to 100 % and UIE (optimal) >100 µg/l was in the range of 49 % to 100 %.  A total of 5048528 salt samples at community/household level were tested by Salt Testing Kit (STK) and the consumption of adequately iodated salt was in the range of 56 % to 100 %.

12. Reference Source:   National Health Portal National program for control of blindnessvikaspedia NPCB in ministry of health and family welfare .website

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