Nearly 22 percent of Moroccan young children suffer from iodine deficiency

The prevalence of iodine deficiency among 6 to 12 year-old children in Morocco is estimated at 22pc.

UNICEF representative, Mme Maie Ayoub Von Kohl Ayoub, revealed this figure at the signing Wednesday of a partnership convention with the Crédit Agricole du Maroc (CAM) bank that provides for fighting iodine deficiency.

Ayoub said iodine deficiency disorders are currently deemed among the major causes of concern with regard to nutritional deficiencies. They may have serious consequences both at the economic and social levels such as the drop of physical and intellectual capacities, and reduction of production, she pointed out.

The new convention aims at generalizing the use of iodized salt by 2006 and back the national program for fighting iodine deficiency disorders.

Tarik Sijilmassi, president of the CAM Board of Directors, said the bank commits to support the national campaign against iodine deficiency, notably by funding communication programs and mobilizing its agents to promote the consumption of iodized salt.