The New Nation - Internet Edition

Md.Zaber Gazi

Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) problem has become a serious national issue as the problem hinders the socio-economic development of the country as well as productivity.

Bangladesh is facing IDD problem since its inception. This is one of the major public health hazards in our country, which is the prime cause behind poor health condition and congenital defects. This disorder hinders the socio-economic development of the country by lowering learning capacity as well as productivity.

About 4 million children are born every year in the country. Of them, 6 lakh thirty thousand infants remain unprotected from the lifelong consequences of cretins, mild intelligence deficit and brain damage originated from iodine deficiency.

The Government of Bangladesh passed the salt law in 1989 making it mandatory for all edible salt sold in the country to be iodized. During 1990s the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (CIDD) Project of Bangladseh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation played a vital role in reducing iodine deficiency disorder.

Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in increasing the coverage of iodized salt from around 19 percent in 1993 to 84 percent in 2006.

Bangladesh government is working to achieve a 100 percent coverage of iodized salt by 2015. But there's suspicion whether hygienic salt is being produced in the country.

At present there are two hundred ninety-two salt factories but only 207 are operating. Total salt production of the country is three lakh twelve thousand four hundred two tons .Of them, about 37 percent black and 64 percent is polythene based crude salt produced in the country.

Technical manpower capacities of the factories are very weak, only 14 % Of them are trained. About 85% are using traditional method for processing crude salts and only 11% factories have the refining processing plant.

More than 80% of the wholesalers are selling iodized salt and more than 67 % of the wholesalers are monitoring iodine level during salt collection and storage.

90% of the wholesalers are using test kit and 6% are using lemon to monitor the iodine level.

All development programmes will hindered if an intelligent and talented nation can not be developed removing of IDD problems.

Recetly Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) launched website that would provide information related to importance and production of iodized salt to the consumers and dealers involved with the industry.

There is a need to develop modern techniques to develop the crude salt farming level which will reduce the processing cost at factory level.

Transportation cost of crude salt is comparately high. Bangladesh railway can be used to carry the crude salt. Subsidized mechanical processing system and loan from government at lower rate of interest is required.