Question : Thyroid Disorder

(a) whether the Government is aware that every third woman in the country is affected by thyroid disorder and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has taken any effective measures to address the issue of increasing incidence of the said disorder among women and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that thyroid disorder increases the risk of cancer and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether air pollution, food habits and lifestyle are causing this disorder and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to formulate any action plan to raise awareness regarding thyroid disorders in the country and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 141* FOR 11TH FEBRUARY, 2022

(a) to (e): As per National Family Health Survey- 4 (2015-16), prevalence of Goitre and any other thyroid disorders, based on self-reports in the women (15-49 years) is 2.2%.

In order to prevent and control Nutritional Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs), Government of India (GoI) is implementing National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) in the country for the entire population. The important measures undertaken by the Government are: -

i. To ensure supply of Iodised salt in place of common salt in the entire country.

ii. Financial assistance to all States /UTs for establishment of State Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Cell and State IDD Monitoring Laboratory, conducting District IDD surveys/resurveys, health education and publicity to create awareness about IDD, promoting consumption of adequately iodised salt and monitoring of iodine content of salt through salt testing kit at the household/ community level.

iii. Information Education and Communication activities to generate awareness about Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs) and importance of consumption of Iodised salt among population in all the States and UTs through Prasar Bharti (All India Radio & Doordarshan) and publishing of IDD messages on News papers/Railway reservation tickets through Directorate of Advertisement & Visual Publicity.

iv. Monitoring of quality of iodised salt at production and distribution level.

v. Standards and regulations for Iodized salt were prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Regulation 2.9.30 (1)(2)(3) of Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives), Regulation, 2011 prescribes the standard for edible common salt including iodised salt. Regulation 2.3.12 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales), Regulation, 2011 restricts the sale of common salt for direct human consumption unless the same is iodised.

vi. As an outcome of the programme, the use/consumption of iodised salt at household level has reached to 94.3% as per NFHS - 5 Report (2019-21).

vii. National guidelines for screening of hypothyroidism during pregnancy issued by Maternal Health Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India in the year 2014, these guidelines aim for early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders during pregnancy.



As per the World Health Organization (WHO) factsheet (3rd February, 2022), common causes of cancer include:

• physical carcinogens, such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation;
• chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, alcohol, aflatoxin (a food contaminant), and arsenic (a drinking water contaminant); and
• biological carcinogens, such as infections from certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

Other than iodine deficiency, sedentary lifestyle and food habits may be associated with thyroid disorders.

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