MOMBASA: Kenyans have been urged to increase their iodine consumption to combat Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD), a major cause of cognitive impairments and developmental disorders. This call was made during a regional consultation on Sustainable Food Fortification and Universal Salt Iodisation in Mombasa, aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies across Eastern and Southern Africa.
According to Kenya News Agency, Professor Festo Kavishe, the Iodine Global Network Coordinator for the Eastern and Southern Africa region, highlighted the severe impacts of iodine deficiency, particularly on young children and pregnant women. He emphasized that even mild to moderate iodine deficiency could lead to significant cognitive impairment. The regional consultation brought together stakeholders from 25 countries to advance food fortification and salt iodisation strategies to eliminate IDD by 2025, in line with the World Health Assembly targets.
Professor Kavishe explained the formation of the Food Fortification and
Universal Salt Iodisation Regional Coordination Mechanism, which aims to synchronize efforts across member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other regional bodies. This mechanism focuses on fortifying staple foods like maize flour, wheat flour, and rice with essential micronutrients such as iodine. The strategy is expected to enhance brain capacity and overall productivity of the populations in these countries.
The prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age is alarmingly high, with rates ranging from 21 percent in countries like Malawi, Namibia, and Seychelles, to as high as 54 percent in Mozambique, according to the World Health Organisation. Such figures underscore the public health crisis and the urgent need for interventions like iodine fortification.
The consultation also reviewed the progress and challenges of existing food fortification and salt iodisation programs, discussing the 2022 mid-term review findings of the USI/IDD roadmap. Stakeholders aim to adopt a
framework for a regional strategic action plan for 2025-2030 to accelerate sustainable food fortification efforts.
The meeting is set to produce several key outputs, including the 2024 Mombasa declaration on preventing and controlling micronutrient deficiency. It also emphasizes the importance of a multi-sectoral approach involving governments, industry, civil society, research institutions, and international partners to address challenges such as data inadequacies, logistical issues, and consumer acceptance that currently hinder effective food fortification programs.
