Iodine deficiency threatens populace

Iodine deficiency threatens populace

SURABAYA: Minister of Health Sujudi said iodine deficiency
threatens 30 million people in 26 provinces with the dwarf
syndrome and goiter.

"The government will cooperate with private companies and
cooperatives to distributing iodized salt," Sujudi said as quoted
by the Antara news agency.

The most susceptible areas for the diseases, Sujudi said, are
the highlands of East Java, Central Java and Kalimantan.

Iodine deficiency can also cause mental retardation, Sujudi
said. (prs)