Commemoration of the
10th Anniversary of Implementing the National Initiative on IDD Elimination
in China
16 November 2006

Opening remarks

by
Dr Cris Tunon
A/g Officer-in-charge

on behalf of
Dr Henk Bekedam
WHO Representative in China

Distinguished Minister of Health Mr. Gao Qiang,
Distinguished senior officials from the National Development and Reform Commission and other relevant Ministries and Bureaus,
Distinguished provincial representatives,
Ladies and gentlemen: 

Good morning!

It is a great pleasure to participate in today’s meeting on behalf of Dr Henk Bekedem, WHO Representative to China. Unfortunately Dr Bekedem is overseas and cannot be with you today.  He sends his apologies and his warm congratulations on this important occasion.

For WHO, it is a privilege to be part of this commemoration of one of China’s most successful health initiatives.  

China is to be congratulated for its efforts to eliminate of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). China’s progress has been remarkable and serves as an example to many other nations. 

We know that iodine deficiency is the primary cause of brain defects during fetal growth that can result in severe mental retardation. More subtle degrees of mental impairment can also lead to poor school performance, reduced intellectual ability and impaired work capacity are also worrying. Iodine deficiency erodes human capital, drains government budgets and restricts national development. 

In 1996, the Chinese Government adopted the initiative we are commemorating today - a National Plan of Action for Iodine Deficiency Disorders.  By 2001, 90% of households had access to iodized salt in most provinces.

China’s response to the IDD challenge has been sure and swift.  Today, the results speak for themselves.  The Chinese Government has controlled iodine deficiency to the point of near elimination.  But we are not there yet.
Meeting our goal of elimination will involve maintaining and expanding the approaches already found to be effective, increased emphasis on surveillance and quality assurance, and adopting new approaches to target those who are more difficult to reach, including community education in both urban and rural areas.
Pregnant women and young children are the most susceptible to iodine deficiency and they should be considered a top priority, along with hard to reach groups.

The Tibet IDD Elimination Project is a good example of China’s willingness to take action on both these fronts. Poverty and isolation in Tibet present important challenges for iodine deficiency control.

In 2000, the Chinese Government embarked on the Tibet IDD Elimination Project targeted at children and young women.  The project has helped increase iodised oil capsule coverage in children under two and women of child bearing age to nearly 100% in Tibet.

Continuing to develop innovative strategies to target those not yet reached, as has been done with the Tibet IDD Elimination Project, will be the key to China’s successful elimination of IDD.

The elimination phase, as we know, is always the most difficult part.  In a country as large and heterogeneous as China, we must remain flexible and try different approaches.  Ad hoc measures are needed for special situations.  At this time, it is all the more crucial that the “Three A’s” are in place --that is, iodized salt should be “Available, Affordable and Acceptable” for all. 

When it comes to availability, distribution networks should be able to reach poor and remote areas.  Transporting supplies to particularly remote areas, especially the west, remains difficult.  There’s also the question of affordability.  Transportation costs are added to the price of iodized salt in many remote areas - resulting in prices that are up to eight times higher, putting iodized salt out of the reach of people who need it the most.  It is very important for the government to step in and subsidize this essential commodity to make it affordable.  Iodized oil capsules play an important - but only temporary - role in areas where iodized salt, for a variety of reasons, is neither available nor affordable.  However, iodized salt remains the key in addressing IDD.

Eliminating IDD and sustaining the achievement across an entire population is one area that requires multisectoral efforts and collaboration between different branches of government and health partners.

China is committed to eliminating iodine deficiency. A nation free of IDD is a healthy nation filled with hope, promise and aspiration.  Eliminating IDDs will contribute to China meeting several of the Millennium Development Goals.  It will reduce child mortality.  It will improve maternal health.  It will achieve universal primary education by more children’s increasing learning ability.  And it will help eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by reducing the mental development disorders and improving work capacity.

China has WHO's full support in progressing this important endeavour.

Congratulations on China’s impressive achievements over the last 10 years.  I am confident that your public health achievements over the next 10 years will be equally note-worthy.  .
Thank you.