UAE turns to ICCIDD to launch its campaign against IDD |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on [PUBL_DATE] |
The United Arab Emirates and ICCIDD have signed an agreement to undertake a national survey in the 7 Emirates of the UAE which will trigger “aggressive measures” to combat IDD.
The initiative will:
1) Determine the status of iodine nutrition of the population in UAE by measuring urinary iodine (UI) excretion,
2) Estimate the prevalence in all schoolchildren from government schools, in the age-group of 8 to 11 years, by palpation and or ultrasonography.
3) Determine the iodine content in salt samples brought from home by the schoolchildren, and determine whether the iodine content of salt needs to be modified to assure adequate and safe iodine intake levels;
4) Provide information on coverage of population with iodized salt in UAE nation-wide, and on quality of iodized salt on the household level,
Upon completion and analysis of results, the UAE is expected to elevate the attention to the challenges of IDD in the country and to take aggressive measures to assure adequate daily iodine requirements in the diet of the population. This survey is the first of a number of steps contemplated within the ICCIDD – UAE agreement. A national plan to eliminate IDD and to sustain its elimination is the next planned step. It is foreseen that a national reference laboratory will be designed and made operative as a national resource and as a resource for neighboring countries.
The Survey will be undertaken by a national team already selected, supported by an international team comprised of ICCIDD Officials and Members. Work will begin in early October and is planned to be completed by February 2009.
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