Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has urged Kebs to test salt in the market and ensure it has enough iodine.
Passaris, who has goiter, spoke at Nairobi Hospital yesterday, where she had a thyroidectomy. A thyroidectomy is an operation that involves the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland.
World Health Organisation has standardised iodine levels at between 33 – 67mg.
In a Gazette notice of October 9, 2009 the then Minister for Public Health amended the law to significantly reduce the levels of potassium iodate used to make iodine.
Kenya reduced the iodine levels from 168.5mg to “a minimum of 50mg and a maximum of 84mg.”
According to Mayo clinic, goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland.The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck.
Although goiter is usually painless, an enlarged thyroid gland can cause coughing and make it difficult to swallow or breathe.
The most common cause of goiter worldwide is lack of iodine in the diet.
“Everybody in my family was saying that I need to go to the UK, India for the surgery but we as a country must have confidence in our doctors and our institutions. I met a surgeon at the Nairobi Hospital and he said he does operate similar cases.”
The woman rep was admitted to Nairobi Hospital on January 5 where she had her two thyroid glands removed successfully.
Passaris said she has had goiter for 10 years.
“I thank God for faith that reassured me that my work is not yet complete. I remain eager to learn and serve Him with humility,” she said.
Passaris thanked her friends, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Wiper member Wavinya Ndeti, Youth CAS Rachael Shebesh, her staff and friends who visited her in hospital.