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Goiter patients in greater Faridpur district increasing |
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November 2, 2000
Shariatpur--(UNB)- The number of goitre patients in greater Faridpur district is increasing alarmingly due to iodine deficiency and lack of awareness. A recent survey conducted by the Shariatpur Development Organisation (SDO) revealed that number of disabled people has also increased in the five districts of greater Faridpur due to iodine deficiency. The districts are Shariatpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajbari and Faridpur. Physicians said that on an average the daily intake of iodine for an adult should be 150 microgram. The main source of iodine is soil and excessive rain and floodwater wash away iodine every year. To meet the iodine deficiency in human body, the government enacted a law in 1994 prohibiting the selling and production of non-iodized salt. But a section of unscrupulous traders defying the government ban are selling non-iodized salt for making windfall profit. They are selling such salt in colourful packets labelled as iodized salt. Local people also complained that non-iodized salt from across the border has flooded the local markets and is being sold at a very cheap rate. The poor people in remote areas, who are unaware of the benefits of iodine, are using the sub-standard salt that results in the outbreak of various diseases said a local physician. Only 42 per cent of the total population in the five districts currently use iodized salt, the survey revealed. It is felt that the government and the voluntary organizations should launch strong publicity campaign to make people in the rural areas aware about the benefits of iodized salt.
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