In an awareness session held at the College of Nursing, Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, Professor Khair-un-Nisa and other experts, highlighting the severe health risks of iodine deficiency, said that the importance of iodine in the mental and physical health of mothers and children is evident to all. According to a press release issued on Wednesday by the College of Nursing (Women), Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, the event was held on the occasion of the global campaign for the prevention of iodine deficiency, which highlighted the importance of public education on the role of iodine in preventing diseases like goiter and developmental delays.
This session was organized in collaboration with Nutrition International’s iodized salt campaign, led by Professor Khair-un-Nisa, Principal of the College of Nursing, and Dr. Fatima Saad, Provincial Manager of USI Sindh. The program was held on October 21, 2025, focusing on the impact of this crucial mineral on human development and cognitive function.
The event featured insights from prominent figures including Dr. Ahmed Ali Shaikh of the Sindh Food Authority, nutritionist Dr. Naveed Bhutto, and the hospital’s Medical Superintendent Dr. Khalid Bukhari. Each speaker highlighted the need for iodized salt, regular health check-ups, and comprehensive public awareness strategies as fundamental steps in the fight against iodine deficiency.
Professor Khair-un-Nisa opened the session by emphasizing the importance of the mineral in strengthening mental and physical development. Dr. Fatima Saad explained the critical role of iodine in maternal and child health, while Dr. Naveed Bhutto and Dr. Ahmed Ali Shaikh presented the adoption of iodized salt as a primary prevention strategy.
Dr. Khalid Bukhari praised the proactive efforts of Professor Khair-un-Nisa and her team and appreciated the involvement of nursing students who effectively conveyed health messages through various creative means. The event concluded with a commitment from BS Nursing students to raise awareness and build a healthy, iodine-sufficient Pakistan.