| Iodine Deficiency Disorders or IDD is the single most common cause of preventable mental retardation and brain damage in the world. It also decreases child survival, causes goitre and impairs growth and development.
The Government of India launched the National Goitre Control Programme (NGCP) in 1962 to combat this problem. The major objectives of this programme included conduction of surveys to assess the magnitude of Iodine Deficiency Disorders and the provision of iodated salt in place of common salt.
In 1992, the NGCP was renamed as the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP). On the recommendations of Central Council of Health in 1984, the Government took a policy decision to add iodine to edible salt in the country. The government also runs extensive educational and training programmes to make people aware of Iodine Deficiency Disorders and their prevention.
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