The corporation recently organized an awareness program in the tourist village of Sikles in Parche VDC of the district informing the villagers about the health benefits of iodized salt. Some 400 households received a kilogram each of iodized salt after the program. Also, students were given school bags, and men were given t-shirts and caps for free. [break]
Mahendra Bhusal, Pokhara chief of the corporation, said the campaign seeks to protect villagers from health hazards caused by iodine deficiency. Six months ago, the corporation also banned the sale of salt that do not contain iodine.
The government has announced February 2010 as iodine month.
However, lack of awareness and poverty may pose serious challenges to campaign.
Some resident of Sikles said they would continue to consume non-iodized salt because it costs less. Others, like Sita Pariyar, said non-iodized salt is saltier than iodized salt.
Suraj Kumar Gurung, a teacher, who also runs a business, said that villagers, especially those from the lower class, prefer non-iodized salt owing to the price factor.
In Sikles, iodized salt costs Rs 25 per kilogram, while non-iodized salt costs just Rs 12 per kilogram. But in the towns, the price for the same is Rs 15 and Rs 9 respectively.
Related story
Nepal’s progress in Iodine deficiency disorder
