ABSTRACT
The National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) of India, formerly known as National Goitre Control Programme (NGCP), is a central-assisted programme of the Government of India (GoI), which is being implemented in the country since 1962 [1]. The NGCP programme was launched following a prospective study undertaken in school children in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh which conclusively demonstrated (Figure 22.1) that iodized salt was effective in reducing goitre [3]. Iodization of edible salt was proposed to be the solution for prevention and control of goitre in the country. Potassium iodate was recommended to be the more suitable fortificant for iodization of salt than potassium iodide for Indian climatic conditions [2-6]. NGCP initially focused in addressing the problem of goitre primarily in the sub-Himalayan region, which was considered to be the only goitre endemic region. The three objectives of NGCP were (i) survey to identify goitre-endemic regions in the country; (ii) supply of iodized salt in place of ordinary salt in the identified endemic regions; and (iii) assessment of impact of goitre control measures in the form of resurveys over a period of time [2].
