Hoshiarpur - With an aim to create awareness about the damage caused to human health due to iodine deficiency, a seminar was organized by the health department today at PD Arya Senior Secondary School Bahadurpur in connection with the Global Iodine Deficiency Disorder Prevention Day. In this seminar conducted with the support of Principal Miss Timatini Ahluwalia, District Immunization Officer Dr. Seema Garg, Deputy Mass Media Officer Dr. Tripta Devi and Deputy Mass Media Officer Ramandeep Kaur from the Health Department discussed the health problems caused by iodine deficiency with the students. and shared information about its diagnosis. 
Addressing the seminar, District Immunization Officer Dr. Seema Garg said that iodine is an element that is very important for the human body, if its deficiency occurs in the body, mental and physical development stops forever. Due to lack of iodine in the body, diseases of the gums, deafness, dullness of the eyes, and children of pregnant mothers can be born with poor intelligence and physical weakness. Therefore, only iodized salt should be used for the physical growth of the child, brain development and for the development of the child during pregnancy. He said that it is necessary for pregnant women to undergo a thyroid test in the early stages of pregnancy so that it can be treated in time.
Deputy Mass Media Officer Dr. Tripta Devi said that we need 150 micrograms of iodine daily and pregnant mothers need up to 200 micrograms daily which we get through iodized salt. He said that salt should always be kept in an airtight container and should not be kept in a sunny and frosty place and iodized salt should be used twice within 6 months. He said that at time-2, the health department collects samples of salt from the homes of the field workers and tests them to find out whether the salt we eat meets our daily requirement of iodine or not.
Deputy Mass Media Officer Ramandeep Kaur said that this year the theme of the day is "Eliminating Iodine Deficiency through Public Awareness and Global Action" so that it can be eradicated by creating maximum awareness with joint efforts. He said that iodine is a mineral which is very important for our physical and mental health. Due to its deficiency, symptoms such as hair loss, dry skin, weak bones, mental and physical development are found. Iodine supplementation can be done through iodized salt with the rising sun, seafood, dairy products, milk, yogurt and cheese.