India today gave an aid of NRs 51.75 million as part of assistance to Nepal for supplying iodised salt in a bid to fight iodine-deficiency diseases like goitre.
The MoU for the Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme, earlier known as Goitre control Programme was signed on August 3 last year during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae handed over a cheque of Rs 51.75 million (Rs 32.38 million) to Nepal Minister of Commerce and Supplies Sunil Bahadur Thapa for execution of the project which is carried out by the state-owned Salt Trading Corporation of Nepal
India has been supporting Nepal's Goitre Control Programme since 1973 and has grant assistance of NRs 755 million to Salt Trading Corporation of Nepal for the control of Goitre and other deficiency disorders in Nepal during 1973-1998, 2004-07, 2009-15 in the form of subsidy for re-iodisation of salt, its packing, and transportation.
An impact study commissioned by India indicated that the programme has been successful in nearly eradicating visible goitre and reducing the incidence of other iodine deficiency disorders in Nepal.
India-Nepal cooperation in the health sector includes creation of health infrastructure ranging from development of major hospitals to opening of numerous health posts covering the farthest corners of Nepal, supply of medicines and medical equipment, providing faculty support to various medical institutions.
Goitre is a swelling of the neck resulting from enlargement of the thyroid gland. The most common cause for goitre is iodine deficiency.
