New law on salt iodisation drafted in AlbaniaMore than half the children in Albania suffer from iodine deficiency Tirana, February 28, 2008 – A new law to improve the availability of iodised salt for consumers has been drafted in Albania. The Albanian Ministry of Health has prepared the draft legislation and will submit it shortly to the Albanian Parliament. “We understand the problems associated with Iodine Deficiency Disorders and the simplicity of its solution,” said Carrie Auer, UNICEF Albania Representative. “We now need to ensure that consumers buy only iodised salt.” Available for consumers “The Ministry of Health is strongly committed to achieve IDD elimination by 2010,” said Deputy Minister of Health, Arben Ivanaj. Iodine deficiency is the world’s leading cause for mental retardation. An average loss of 13.5 intelligence quotient (IQ) has been attributed to Iodine Deficiency Disorders. This impacts upon school performance for those children affected.
The problem persists as only 60 percent of the households in Albania use adequately iodised salt. A survey revealed a considerable gap in knowledge on IDD among women of reproductive age. Iodisation of all salt for human and animal consumption has been adopted as the most cost effective solution to eliminate IDD. For further information please contact UNICEF office:
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