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A Review of Iodine Nutrition Situation in Bhutan; Historical Milestones

Iodine is a micronutrient required for production of thyroid hormones which plays a critical role in metabolism. Iodine deficiency can lead to many severe effects throughout the human life cycle and is collectively termed as iodine deficiency disorders.
Salt fortification is an effective intervention to improve iodine nutrition in the population. In Bhutan, iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) were universally present with the first nationwide survey conducted in 1983, reporting a total goiter rate of 64.5%. This lead to establishment of ‘Nutrition Section’ in the Directorate of Health and the Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program (IDDCP) in planning commission in 1985. Download