Hidden hunger. . .
Venus has just risen over the mountains and the cool breezes of this spring evening are keeping us very content as we sit on our host’s verandah. Looking out over the green Kashmiri valleys, we now have a brief interlude to recount some of the past week’s highlights.
Currently we are in the village of Riyat, seeing patients in one of CDRS’ satellite clinics. Riyat is only about 30 km from Chikar, but it takes 1½ hours to get here along the winding mountain road. Today was our second day here. There was an announcement posted in the local bazaar regarding the 3 day visit of two female, ‘gori’, health care professionals. As a result, 79 patients were seen in a six-hour period today.
Of these 79 patients, all but one individual, including small children, had a goiter. Some were the size of a grapefruit. . . it is so distressing. The local heath workers are educated and the people seem motivated to use iodized salt to prevent thyroid dysfunction and its ubiquitous ramifications.
Last week we began our crusade to understand the high prevalence of iodine deficiency here. We met with several district health care officials in charge of health care delivery and nutritional deficiencies. We learned that micronutritional initiatives have been on paper since the 1970’s. We took it upon ourselves to investigate further. We’ve checked numerous bags of salt in several scattered townships. Of the 11 brands we tested, only one brand met the recommended standard of iodization.
Bags of salt, which claim Pakistan National Institute of Health, WHO and UNICEF endorsements for iodine, actually contain no iodine. It appears that packaging is being manufactured fraudulently and as a result the population suffers. The problem is exacerbated because some local people believe that iodine in the salt is a covert method of birth control. Unfortunately, a logo on iodized salt showing two parents and two children has apparently helped in promoting this misconception, pardon the pun.
Upon our return to Chikar from the remote clinics, there is a Health Fair planned to reinforce education and awareness of the iodine issue. We have hopes to connect with people ‘in high places’ to finally get iodine to the people. It seems so simple. If anyone out there has any expertise, suggestions or connections in dealing with this issue, please let us know. We, and the people of this region, would be most grateful for any help you can provide in dealing with this problem.
Meanwhile, we continue to be very well taken care of, spoiled actually, by our Kashmiri hosts. Lovely evening walks (always accompanied by male protectors) are punctuated by passersby thanking us for coming to their community. Offers of chai (tea) abound. The book about our time in Kashmir could be called ‘TEN Cups of Tea’!
Much love to you all, Helen and Judy
Venus has just risen over the mountains and the cool breezes of this spring evening are keeping us very content as we sit on our host’s verandah. Looking out over the green Kashmiri valleys, we now have a brief interlude to recount some of the past week’s highlights.
Currently we are in the village of Riyat, seeing patients in one of CDRS’ satellite clinics. Riyat is only about 30 km from Chikar, but it takes 1½ hours to get here along the winding mountain road. Today was our second day here. There was an announcement posted in the local bazaar regarding the 3 day visit of two female, ‘gori’, health care professionals. As a result, 79 patients were seen in a six-hour period today.
Of these 79 patients, all but one individual, including small children, had a goiter. Some were the size of a grapefruit. . . it is so distressing. The local heath workers are educated and the people seem motivated to use iodized salt to prevent thyroid dysfunction and its ubiquitous ramifications.
Last week we began our crusade to understand the high prevalence of iodine deficiency here. We met with several district health care officials in charge of health care delivery and nutritional deficiencies. We learned that micronutritional initiatives have been on paper since the 1970’s. We took it upon ourselves to investigate further. We’ve checked numerous bags of salt in several scattered townships. Of the 11 brands we tested, only one brand met the recommended standard of iodization.
Bags of salt, which claim Pakistan National Institute of Health, WHO and UNICEF endorsements for iodine, actually contain no iodine. It appears that packaging is being manufactured fraudulently and as a result the population suffers. The problem is exacerbated because some local people believe that iodine in the salt is a covert method of birth control. Unfortunately, a logo on iodized salt showing two parents and two children has apparently helped in promoting this misconception, pardon the pun.
Upon our return to Chikar from the remote clinics, there is a Health Fair planned to reinforce education and awareness of the iodine issue. We have hopes to connect with people ‘in high places’ to finally get iodine to the people. It seems so simple. If anyone out there has any expertise, suggestions or connections in dealing with this issue, please let us know. We, and the people of this region, would be most grateful for any help you can provide in dealing with this problem.
Meanwhile, we continue to be very well taken care of, spoiled actually, by our Kashmiri hosts. Lovely evening walks (always accompanied by male protectors) are punctuated by passersby thanking us for coming to their community. Offers of chai (tea) abound. The book about our time in Kashmir could be called ‘TEN Cups of Tea’!
Much love to you all, Helen and Judy