Workshop on Capacity Building of Physicians on Salt Reduction and Low Sodium Salt Substitutes – IIT, Chennai – 30th June 2024
Sapiens Health Foundation conducted a workshop on capacity building for Medical Professionals – the Physicians on salt reduction and low sodium salt substitutes on 30th June 2024.
The workshop was held at IIT Madras in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) a New York based NGO.
Dr Rajan Ravichandran Chairman of the foundation recalled the 27 years of milestones of the foundation and its fight for low salt consumption for the last 14 years. He emphasized the importance of labelling and statutory guidelines on salt/sodium contents in packaged foods.
Prof. Kamakoti, Director IIT Madras inaugurated the workshop and lauded the efforts of the Foundation in spreading awareness on reducing salt in food. Dr T.S. Selva Vinayagam, Director, Public Health and Preventive Medicine was the chief guest and emphasised the Government’s commitment in prevention of non-communicable diseases and appreciated the role of Sapiens in making it a mass movement. Dr Amit Shah, Director RTSL, India highlighted the global movement for reduced salt intake has gained momentum and appealed to the medical fraternity to give priority when they treat patients.
A manual on salt guidelines for Physicians was released on this occasion. Colorful posters for reducing salt were distributed to the participants to spread the message.
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 would be held by the Foundation in Mumbai and Delhi in the next few months to bolster the fight against Salt.
