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A Disease with Inconceivable Impacts

by Jerome Sarkar
Goitre i* a *tee«bkun comely *Mkk* bulging of the throat eauacd by an enlargement of the thyroid gland According to physician*. It occur, due to deficiency of Iodine In human body A video film on goitre produced by BBC ha. shown the serious malignancy of thia dleeaae. Il la fur the* projected that iodine I. essential for brain', develop ment and the thyroid gland ■ smooth functioning to regulate
*^y an English
gentlemen who came to Bangladesh particularly to serve tn Northern Bangladesh organised the viewing of the video Rim Ilia tntcrcat tn our problem and drive lo make the people aware of It. dire con sequence* are Indeed praiseworthy. In fact, many of ua are ignorant of thia dtaease* harmful effect of the mental growth as well as causal role of deformation of limbs. Some of the scenes caught live tn the Rim arc so horrifying and striking that all who witnessed the film were shocked. We did not know that this disease had got some hereditary characteristics too. If an expectant mother has this sinister disease, it may render the new born mentally and physically short of normalcy.
We know that the iodine deficiency can be made up and on on-going protuberance can be stopped but unfortunately the patient never get. back to the normal physical or mental condition. A medical professional opined that a generation is prone to be crippled, retarded. deformed If the children were born In a place where goitre was prevalent.
An International voluntary organisation working in the northern Bangladesh where goitre has been common among the people, had tried to make the Iodine Injections and later Iodine solutions avail-
able to the people. Subsequently. that NGO has. Introduced Iodized salt to the locality in coordination with an Iodized salt producing factory. At the Initial stage, they organised the transportation of Iodized sjiit from the factory to the mostly affected areas. Besides, they have been advising the people to make up the Iodine deficiency through regular consumption of vegetables and fruits rich In Iodine and
vitamins. They have been trying to motivate the people to grow more vegetables and engage tn home-gardening.
One wonders If the gov ernment Is really aware of its serious consequences and has begun to contemplate any solu tion.
Iodized salt has been an economically preferred means for preventing iodine deficiency tn our country. Now we see many salt Industries such
as the Joint venture by BSC IC and UNICEF being set up tn different parts of Bangladesh to supply iodized salt Practically. they transport salt from Chittagong and add iodine to it tn their factories. As a result the .cost of salt goes up by mln imum Tk two per kg In Dhaka If It is carried to northern districts, this margin will rise fur thcr. And the usual Inclination of a buyer Is lo go for cheaper non-iodized salt because of
unawarencss
As a first measure to curb the crisis, people must be made aware of different com plicaclea this dreadful disease may cause Seeing I. believing. Hence the film .hows will be the most effective medium. Il Is easily comprehensible for the general mnss in the rural areas.
The problem has been identified and the solution Is In hand. Now the iodized salt must be made available at a reasonable price within the purchasing capacity of the general mass In the rural areas.
It is a national problem. Efforts of NGO* alone cannot face the dreadful situation. Hence the initiative must come from the government. The Health Department must come forward to face the situation ca pably and prove Its worth.
It Is learnt that by 1993 iodized salt production will be made compulsory by the government. Prevention Act 1989. Rule 10. In Bangladesh Gazette, on production of Iodized Salt Is already in ext* tcnce. It covers different aspects nicely But who will ensure the quality? The moat vital point Is to ensure proper quantity of Iodine In the salt. It is alleged that ordinary salt is packed in printed bags meant for iodized salt If that allegation is true then the concerned factories will grow richer and richer at the cost of the nation while the nation will be heading towards rutna lion.
The primary responsibility lies with the government In this respec t
Our government In coordination with Internationa) donor agencies may prove equal to the task of tackling the alarming situation. Integrated efforts are needed to do something meaningful and face this deadly disease, goitre.