CM/Res.843 (XXXVI)
RESOLUTION ON ETIOLOGY AND PHYSIOPATHOLOGY OF ENDEMIC GOITER IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Thirty-sixth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 23 February to 1 March, 1981,
Having considered the report of the OAU Secretary-General on the report on Endemic Goiter in Africa adopted by African Experts at their meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 13 to 17 October 1980, (Document CM/1096 (XXXVI),
Recognizing that iodine deficiency seems to be, in most cases of endemic goiter, the main etiological factor of the infection,
Recognizing further that there is no doubt that nutritional factors do exist in:
goitrogenous food such as cassava, millet, those belonging to the brassica family, vegetable oil (olive or groundnut),
mineral salt (flour, calcium, sulphur, contained in drinking water),
Noting that infectious agents may also come into play (water pollution, chronic microbic and/or parasitic infection),
Considering that hereditary and obviously, genetic factors are bound to be involved,
Aware that geological characteristics of the soil and also involved in the identification of certain goitrous regions,
Conscious that, from physiopathological point of view, disruptions in the thyroid function affect the physical and mental development of the child:
RECOMMENDS that Member States of the Organization of African Unity should encourage research on physiopathology of the infection, endemic cretinism and goitrogenous factors;
CALLS UPON Member States to train specialized medical and paramedical staff;
URGES all Member States to establish local infrastructures, especially specialized laboratories.