Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 October 2025
Together with the rest of the globe, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are observing World Iodine Deficiency Day, also known as Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day, today. The Directorate of Health Services, in association with the Union Territory Health Mission, is leading the observance to highlight the importance of iodine in maintaining good health and preventing iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).
The day serves as a reminder of the progress being made through national and global initiatives to prevent iodine deficiency-related conditions such as goitre, deaf-mutism, cretinism, stillbirths, and miscarriages. The focus of IDD prevention now extends beyond physical disorders to include mental development, maternal health, and child survival.
As part of the observance, awareness programmes are being conducted in all health institutions across the Islands to educate the public about the essential role of iodine in the human body. Iodine is a key component of thyroid hormones—thyroxine and triiodothyronine—that regulate metabolism and are vital for foetal and infant development. Deficiency of iodine remains the leading cause of preventable intellectual disability worldwide.
Salt, being the most common dietary source of iodine, continues to play a crucial role in combating iodine deficiency. Health experts emphasize that adequate iodine intake is especially important during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life for optimal brain development.
A series of activities are underway across the Islands with a focus on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives. ASHAs and ANMs are conducting spot salt testing using Salt Testing Kits, while regular salt collection from households, shops, and Anganwadi Centres for titration is being carried out. Drawing and quiz competitions are also being organized among school students to promote awareness in an engaging manner.
In addition, outreach camps are being held to raise community awareness, along with demonstrations of salt testing for iodine content and training sessions for healthcare workers. These activities aim to reinforce the importance of consuming adequately iodized salt and to ensure continued progress in eliminating iodine deficiency disorders from the Islands.
