MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that Australia will contribute to the campaign to eradicate iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) in Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Iodine Deficiency is an entirely preventable disorder which causes brain damage.
The iodine deficiency elimination project in Tibet aims for 85% of the population to have iodised salt or vegetable oil in their diet by 2003. Iodised salt and oil are the easiest ways to increase iodine intake which can save people from a lifetime of disability.
In most parts of the country, China is well on its way to fulfilling its goal of eradicating IDD. Poverty and isolation in Tibet have made preventing iodine deficiency difficult. Recent studies suggest that at least one-third of Tibetan children will have a physical and/or mental disability due to IDD. The project has strong support from the Chinese Ministry of Health, and the Tibetan Public Health Bureau.
Australia will contribute about $2 million to the project which will be managed by the World Health Organisation and assisted by the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research at Westmead Hospital in Sydney.
This project is in addition to our long standing support for the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD). In 1998/99, Australia provided $300,000 to the council. Australia has also supported IDD projects in Vietnam and China.