| The
Rajiv Gandhi Missions arose
from an effort to convert selected programmes into a
‘mission-mode’, which was made in order to attend to some
related tasks with a sense of urgency. |
| |
| The
Rajiv Gandhi Mission on the Elimination of Iodine Deficiency
Disorders was one of the seven missions that were initiated in
1994. It was felt that disorders resulting from iodine
deficiency affect the socio-economic functioning of a community
due to the ill effects on people’s health and productivity.
Sixteen districts in Madhya Pradesh were at that point of time
suffering from severe iodine deficiency. |
| |
| The
objectives taken up by the mission were |
| - |
To
eliminate iodine deficiency in Madhya Pradesh by 1997 |
| - |
Ensure
availability of iodised salt in all villages by mid-1995 |
| - |
Ensure
by 1997 that all salt sold in the state is iodised |
|
| |
| A
two pronged strategy was adopted as part of this mission,
focussing on both the supply and the demand of iodised salt in
order to ensure the consumption of the same. |
| |
| Implementing
agencies were the State Level Mission Unit, the Zila Saksharta
Evam Swasthya Samiti, Nagrik Apoorti Nigam, Drug Controller and
Chief Medical Officers. |
| |
| Other
agencies, which were collaborated with in this effort, were salt
traders and manufacturers, UNICEF, the Salt Commissioner,
transport agencies, National institutions like NEERI, AIIMS, NIN,
the media and other NGOs. |
| |
|
The
mission managed to universalise the use of iodised salt and
achieved its target 11 months ahead of schedule. Independent
evaluation by the International Council for Control of Iodine
Deficiency Disorders confirms universal use and confers an award
on Chief Minister Digvijay Singh and The Rajiv Gandhi Missions.
|
|
|