90% of Vietnam Population Lack Iodine: Health Ministry

As much as 90% of Vietnamese population lack iodine, which is the main cause for thyroid diseases, according to a survey by the Ministry of Health (MoH). Doctor Dinh Van Truc, deputy head of the Surgery Department of the National Hospital of Endocrinology, said that the hospital often received patients with diseases related to lack of iodine. He added that thyroid diseases can result from both lack and excess of iodine. According to Doctor Tran Ngoc Luong, President of the National Hospital of Endocrinology, thyroid diseases are found in around 7%-10% of Vietnamese location. Several of the diseases are goiter and thyroid cancer. Meanwhile, Doctor Luong considered one of the medical sector’s “golden hands” in treating goiter with endoscopic technique. "Due to these advantages, this technique has been applied in many countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Portugal and others. More than 220 foreign doctors come to our hospital to learn this technique," Dr. Luong said. The cost for a thyroid endoscopic surgery is $300-$400 in Vietnam, while it is about $10,000 in Singapore. The surgical time is also shortened to about 20-30 minutes, compared to two hours for a similar laparoscopic surgery in Singapore or South Korea. In addition, Mr. Luong also noted that farmers and poor people in remote areas do not have access to information and iodine are suffering the diseases. (Nong Thon Ngay Nay – Countryside Today July 25 p5)