STC’s contribution to the public health

To address the public health issue, Salt Trading Corporation started supplying iodized salt as early as 1970s. Government of India started providing iodized salt to Nepal since 1973, which continued for a quarter century until 1998. Till the recent past, India had also provided transportation cost for the supply of iodized salt in the remote mountainous districts of Nepal to ensure uniformity of prices. At present Nepal government has been providing transportation cost to STC for supplying iodized salt in 22 districts situated in remote areas. STC has been distributing salt in the remote areas at the cost of Rs. 9 PER KG PROVIDING Rs. 6 subsidy per kg, according to Brajesh Jha, Division Manager.

These days STC itself manages the cost of mixing iodine with salt. STC annually supplies approximately 212,000 metric tons of iodized salt across the country. STC has been making valuable contributions in the field of public health through mixing iodine with salt and supplying in the market.

According to a survey conducted with the assistance of UNICEF it was found that 55 percent of the population of Nepal was suffering from iodine deficiency problem till 1970. Now after five decades of service provided by STC in the form of distribution of iodized salt, the percentage of people with iodine deficiency has been reduced to almost zero, according to Jha.

STC has also been conducting blood donation programme at its office premises every year coinciding with its anniversary.  STC organized a blood donation programme on Sunday ahead of the anniversary as part of its corporate social responsibility. Fifty five people participated in the blood donation programme.