Events

January 16, 2008
Joint Iodine Network - FFI Dinner

Lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet damages the health of one-third of the world's people and is a major barrier to economic development. During the week of January 14th, 2008, the governing bodies of two global partnerships dedicated to combating micronutrient malnutrition, the Flour Fortification Initiative and Iodine Network, met in Switzerland to review progress and lay plans for their ongoing efforts over the coming years. The week was punctuated by a dinner of the two boards hosted by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and attended by leaders of the World Health Organization.

Co-Chair of FFI, Scott Montgomery and Alan Court co-Chair of FFI and Chair of the Iodine Network, both made presentations on the importance of the work, and offered the event as a chance to celebrate the progress the organizations have made towards achieving their goals.

Scott Montgomery stated that although over the course of three years the world’s roller mills had increased the amount of wheat that is fortified by 9%, meaning an additional 550 million people now have access to fortified flour, “we must remain focused and retain our sense of urgency.” He also emphasized that “we need to recognize that it takes a different set of messages and skills to SUSTAIN success. We must constantly educate political leaders that we are addressing the elimination of deficiencies not diseases. This is a long-term proposition, one that is difficult to communicate to national leaders who may think that once the disease is eradicated they can move on to something new.”

Alan Court, followed by describing “the three goals of preventing iodine deficiency: eliminate, sustain and maintain.” He spoke of the successes that the Iodine Network have achieved with nearly 70% of the world protected from the effects of iodine deficiency and an increase of 30 countries initiating salt iodization programs since 2000. Alan Court concluded by reiterating the importance of the statements made by Mr. Montgomery’s and continued that “we can’t only eliminate iodine deficiency we must also ensure that it doesn’t return, through consistent monitoring and education. Learning how to sustain the elimination of iodine deficiency is in itself a learning process and we must continue to work at it.”

This occasion celebrated the significant progress that has been made in scaling-up universal salt iodization and wheat flour fortification around the world, and was an opportunity to take-stock of the major challenges that remain to ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are protected from the debilitating physical and economic consequences of micronutrient malnutrition.

• The Network for Sustained Elimination of Iodine Deficiency is an alliance of major organizations that share a common commitment to assist countries in reaching the goal of sustained elimination of IDD, primarily through universal salt iodization. It includes member organizations that bring enormous individual assets to the table.

• The Flour Fortification Initiative (FFI) is a network of more than 50 public, private and civic organizations – ranging from wheat farmers to millers to public health organizations -- working together to make micronutrient fortification of flour produced by large roller mills standard practice globally.