Workshop on Capacity Building of Physicians on Salt Reduction and Low Sodium Salt Substitute – 5th Aug 2025 – Vijayawada

Sapiens Health Foundation, a Chennai based NGO conducted a workshop on capacity building for Medical professionals – the Physicians on salt reduction and low salt substitutes on 5th Aug 2025.

The workshop was held at IMA Hall, Vijayawada in collaboration with Association of Physicians of India (API – AP), Indian Medical Association (IMA-AP) and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) a New York based NGO. Dr Rajan Ravichandran Chairman of the foundation recalled the 28 years of milestones of the foundation and its fight for low salt consumption in the country for the last 15 years. He emphasized the importance of labelling and statutory guidelines on salt/sodium contents in packaged foods.

Sri. M.T. Krishna Babu, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Health Medical & Family Welfare, A.P Govt. inaugurated the workshop and released the posters on salt consumption for optimal health. Dr. D.Srihari Rao Chairman, A.P Medical Council, Dr.G.Nanda Kishore President IMA AP State and Dr.CH.Manoj Kumar,Chairman, API Krishna District emphasised the important of prevention of non-communicable diseases and the role played by salt in health.

A manual on salt guidelines for Physicians and posters were distributed to the attending physicians on this occasion.

Several medical experts from different parts of the country spoke on various aspects of salt, its relationship to blood vessels, heart, kidneys, bones etc. The role and availability of cost-effective low salt substitutes was discussed in this session. Creating an awareness in the population, the importance and need for food industries to reformulate low sodium products, governmental policies on taxation on high salted items, food labelling for salt were some of the key subjects that were covered during this special conclave of Medical and Nutrition experts. Low salt recipes were suggested by nutritionists that would effectively appeal both for taste and support better health.

The workshop ended with concluding remarks and a vote of thanks by R.Sundar, Trustee, Sapiens Health Foundation  who compered the event and pointed out the uniqueness of the workshop as a global programme  and how impactful this initiative would be for the health of the nation as this has the participation of key stakeholders to take forward actions on salt reduction. He added that similar workshops were held by the Foundation in Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi to bolster the fight against Salt.