NWFP Minister for Health Inayatullah on Wednesday directed all executives district health officers (EDOs) to chalk out comprehensive plans for mobilising society to effectively promote iodine consumption and prevent diseases caused due to iodine deficiency.
The minister was addressing as chief guest at launching ceremony of social mobilisation project on universal salt iodisation in the province in Peshawar.
The ceremony was attended by high ups of the health department, EDOs of various districts, Unicef representatives and salt producers.
Those who spoke on the occasion included Director General Health, Dr Jalil-ur-Rehman, idone expert, Dr Muhammad Rafiq, Dr Muhammad Zahin and president Salt Producers Association Taj Muhammad.
Health department, in ten target districts of the province was launching the social mobilisation project aimed at promoting universal salt iodisation with the assistance of Unicef. Under the project, a part from creating awareness among people about iodine training will also be imparted to salt processors.
Speaking on the occasion the minister lauded Dr Muhammad Rafiq for adopting effective strategy for creating awareness about the use of iodine and making Swat as a model iodine district in South Asia.
Acknowledging the contribution of Dr Rafiq the health minister declared him as precious asset of the health department.
He also directed EDOs to seek guidance from the role model of Swat and prepare effective plans to sensitise masses about iodine usage. The health minister said that iodine was being used in the developed countries of the world for quite a long time. "Unfortunately there still exist some misconceptions about its use in our country", he deplored.