LAHORE Dr Sher Baz Khan, Additional Director Nutrition Wing Ministry of Health Islamabad, while distributing prizes amongst the best IDD/USI Project districts, appreciated district health staff and Micronutrient Initiative Punjab team in achieving Universal Salt Iodization targets in a commendable way. He was the guest of honour at a refresher training course for District Focal persons, District sanitary Inspectors and Food Inspectors on elimination of iodine deficiency through universal salt iodisation program (IDD/USI) held at DGHS Punjab conference room in which 60 participants from 20 target districts participated. Dr Sher Baz further informed that from next year Nutrition Wing is going to launch country-wide programme that will address the micronutrient deficiencies and malnutrition among masses. District Nankana received the best IDD/USI programme district award by producing 100 per cent of edible salt as adequately iodised. District Sheikhupura and District Gujrat got the second and third best IDD/USI district positions having iodisation status of 99 per cent and 95 per cent respectively. Special achievement award was given to Chakwal for effective implementation of IDD/USI in district. Dr Tausif Akhtar Janjua, NPO IDD/USI MI, informed the participants that Pakistan is amongst those countries where IDD is still a public health problem. He explained that research proves that Iodine deficiency is the major cause of mental impairment, brain damage and low IQ in growing children. Numerous complications arise in adults and pregnant women due to the deficiency of Iodine and its long standing deficiency leads to goitre. Keeping all this in view, Ministry of Health has prepared a National Plan of Action. M Yasin, USIFO Lahore, shared the techniques of salt iodization. Dr Mahmood ADHS F & N Punjab shared the overall achievement of this project and informed that the department of Health Punjab, with the technical and financial assistance of Micronutrient Initiative (MI), is implementing USI Program in 20 districts of Punjab. Currently more than 80 per cent of edible salt is adequately iodised. Munawwar Hussain, PC IDD/USI Punjab, discussed the monitoring tools for IDD/USI program. He presented the reporting formats and shared the need for proper documentation at district and provincial level.