The Ministry of Health has decided to ensure 100 percent availability of iodized salt in markets by the year 2015, Executive Co-ordinator of 'The Network for Consumer Protection,' Dr Arif Azad said while addressing a seminar titled "Health Professionals Alliance on Promotion of Breastfeeding and Universal Salt Iodization" organised by 'The Network for Consumer Protection' here on Thursday.

According to Dr Asif Azad, Executive Co-ordinator, the government had the added responsibility of putting into effect the legislation on iodized salt.

Dr Arif Azad said that according to a UNICEF report 'State of the World's Children 2009,' the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Pakistan was the lowest among South Asian countries, standing at 37.1 percent.

He revealed that in Pakistan each year many children die because of inappropriate infant feeding.

"The latest data says that 74 out of 1000 infants under one year and 53 infants out of 1000 die before reaching the age of one and a half month in Pakistan while the main cause of these deaths could be attributed to lowest rate of exclusive breastfeeding," he disclosed.

The other health experts in seminar were of the view that the implementation of the existing laws for breastfeeding and promulgation of legislation for Iodized salt is important to save the future generations.

Dr Agha Mahboob, the Deputy Director General Health, said that we are inept at signing conventions and making laws but incompetent at their implementation.

Now everyone would have to play his role to implement existing rules.

Zill-e-Huma, a member of National Assembly Committee on Health, said that due to ignorance among people and unethical marketing by the corporate sector, the overall situation has deteriorated further.

Chief Health and Nutrition UNICEF in Pakistan, Dr Cisse Mohammad said "As long as we do not act we may not be able to overcome the current mortality rate." He said iodine deficiency is a big issue in Pakistan.

He added that the availability of iodine salt in the market is easy and cost-effective.

Sheeba Afghani, the Communication Specialist of UNICEF said that the salt iodisation, availability and use of iodised salt is not yet a reality in Pakistan.

She added that sustained political commitment at the highest level is need of the hour.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2011

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