HM&FW inks MoU with Nutrition International

PNS|Vijayawada

The Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare and Nutrition International signed a non-financial memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the implementation of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program (NIDDCP) for achieving universal salt iodization (USI) in the State.

The Andhra Pradesh State Iodine Deficiency Disorder Survey 2020-21, conducted by the Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare with technical support from Nutrition International, recorded 71.9% household coverage of adequately iodized salt in the state and a total goitre rate of 1.8% among school-aged children.

Committed to improving coverage and ensuring universal salt iodization in the state, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has been implementing the NIDDCP program since 1986. The program was initially implemented in 6 goiter endemic districts and later scaled across the state. In recent years, the state government has also introduced initiatives such as salt testing by frontline workers during Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Days and counselling beneficiaries on the benefits of iodized salt during gram sabha, or local governance meetings. The MoU is an effort to continue strengthening the program, with technical support from Nutrition International, to increase coverage of adequately iodized salt for optimal iodine nutrition of the population with a focus on pregnant women and lactating mothers.

On the occasion, J Nivas, Managing Director, National Health Mission said, “This MoU reflects the state’s continued commitment to eradicating iodine deficiency from the state and achieving USI. Through this partnership with Nutrition International, we are confident about ensuring adequate iodine nutrition for every individual across our state”.