Iodine Man of India
The research and advocacy has contributed enormously to the success of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) and mandatory Universal Salt Iodization (USI)not only in India but worldwide. Iodised salt coverage in India has increased from less than 5% in the 1980s to 93% in 2018-2019……
By AMRESH K TIWARY
Retired from The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, one of the premier medical institution and hospital, as Professor and Head of the Department of Centre for Community Medicine, Dr. Chandrakant Sambhaji Pandav is popularly known as “ Iodine Man of India’ for his outstanding contribution in public health.
Dr. Pandav is presently Member of the National Council on India Nutrition Challenges under POSHAN Abhiyan which is chaired by Vice-chairman of NITI Aayog. Dr. Pandav completed his MBBS and MD in Community Medicine from AIIMS, New Delhi. He is also an alumnus of the Department of Human Nutrition at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
As the “Iodine Man of India” he has been a relentless crusader in the fight for sustainable elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, the single most important cause of mental handicap worldwide according to WHO. His research and advocacy has contributed enormously to the success of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) and mandatory Universal Salt Iodization (USI)not only in India but worldwide. Iodised salt coverage in India has increased from less than 5% in the 1980s to 93% in 2018-2019. This alone has resulted in saving 4 billion IQ points since 1985.
Dr Pandav’s work subsequently led to the concept of “Extra – Himalayan foci of Endemic Goitre” . He has conducted in-depth economic evaluation of the IDD control programme and has provided conclusive evidence for cost effectiveness and cost-benefit of IDD control interventions in programme mode.
Dr Pandav is the founding member of the Iodine Global Network recognized by the World Health Assembly as an International Non-governmental Organisation (INGO) and has been the Regional Coordinator South Asia, since 1985.
He has been a consultant to the World Health Organization and UNICEF on Iodine Deficiency Disorders IDD since 1983 in over 60 countries in South Asia, Western Pacific, Middle East and Africa. He has been widely recognized in the areas of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Micronutrients, Health Systems Research, Health Economics Health Policy Health Programme Evaluation Public-Private Partnership and Human Rights Issues. He is co-editor of 16 books on Health Sciences and has authored over 600 research papers published in various national and international journals.
A few of his notable books are “Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders: Yes, it’s a worthwhile investment”, and “SOS for a Billion”. Dr. Pandav received numerous national and international honours and awards that include the prestigious Dr. M.K. Seshadri Prize and Gold Medal by Indian Council Medical Research in 2000 for his outstanding contributions to the field of Community Medicine. In 2001 he became a Fellow at the National Academy of Medical Sciences New Delhi and Fellow of the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene and Society of Public Health London. The Mother Teresa Memorial Award in 2016 for his excellent work in the area of Universal Salt Iodization.
In 2017, Dr. Pandav was bestowed the WHO Public Health Champion Award for his long and sustained contribution to public health through advocacy for and involvement in impactful health policies, strategies and programmes with proven public health achievements and substantial improvement in health outcomes with equity in the country. Dr Pandav was conferred with the prestigious “Padma Shri” Award – 2021 for his Exceptional and Distinguished Service in the Field of Medicine.