INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN: Non-iodised salt readied for supply at a wholesale shop in Krishnagiri. - Photo: N. Bashkaran

Krishnagiri: Intensive awareness campaigns coupled with Information Education Communication (IEC) activities by UNICEF in association with the district administration has increased the percentage of children consuming iodised salt to 68 in two blocks in Krishnagiri district (a sample survey was conducted in the two blocks).

In a sequel to this, the UNICEF in association with the Department of Health has planned to conduct an Integrated Salt Testing Campaign in all Government, elementary and private schools in the district in the second week of February.

The UNICEF sources said based on a survey conducted in December 2004, only 30 per cent of the children were reported consuming iodised salt in the district. The survey was conducted in about 1,298 schools in the blocks of Krishnagiri, Kaveripattinam, Bargur, Veppanapalli, Mathur, Uthangkarai, Shoolagiri, Hosur, Kelamangalam and Thally.

In an effort aimed at creating awareness among children on importance of iodine, an innovative exercise was launched by the UNICEF in all the schools in the district.

Testing of salt

As part of the programme, every child brought salt samples from their home and was taught how to identify and differentiate iodised salt from non-iodised salt. The iodised salt changes to violet or purple when a drop of the test solution is added to it and non-iodised salt observes no colour change.

Along with this, posters and pamphlets on iodine were supplied at all schools and colleges to create awareness among children on the need for intake of iodised salt to protect themselves from various health problems.

Monitoring

Similarly, trained animators drawn from about 4,000 self-help groups in the district created awareness among the public on the usage and importance of iodised salt and mother and child care in all the blocks in Krishnagiri district.

The group members visited PDS vendors, salt traders and retailers and created a demand for supply of iodised salt for edible purposes to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders.

The district administration was also very particular about the awareness campaign and regularly monitored the functioning of the IEC activities through the departments of Health and Education. On their part the Departments conducted quiz and essay competitions in schools to spread the message on the need for intake of iodised salt.

Along with this posters and handbills were supplied to children to disseminate the information to their households. Iodine testing vials were supplied in all villages to regularly monitor the iodine content in salt.

The Tamil Nadu Government has already banned the sale of edible common salt other than iodised salt for five years from January 1, 2005 under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954.

The Salt Corporation of India has also initiated steps to ensure supply of powdered iodised salt at all outlets.

But non-iodised salt is still being sold by some wholesale dealers in Krishnagiri.

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