Indian ambassador Ranjit Rae handed over a cheque of 51.75 million rupees to Sunil Bahadur Thapa, Minister of Commerce and Supplies, Nepal government as the remaining payment towards completion of the Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program (IDDCP) 2014-15. The Memorandum of Understanding for the IDDC Program, earlier known as Goiter control Program was signed on Aug 3, 2014 during the visit of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

According to the press release, the Government of India has been supporting the Goitre Control Program Nepal Government since 1973 and has extended grant assistance of 755 million rupees to Salt Trading Corporation of Nepal for the control of Goitre and other deficiency disorders in Nepal during 1973-1998, 2004-07, 2009-15 in the form of subsidy for re-iodization of salt, packing, transportation and advocacy.

An Impact study commissioned by the Government of India indicated that the Program has been successful in nearly eradicating visible Goitre and reducing the incidence of other iodine deficiency disorders in Nepal. All the 75 districts of Nepal have benefitted from this Program.

India-Nepal cooperation in the health sector includes creation of health infrastructure ranging from development of major hospitals like B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan to opening of numerous health posts covering the farthest corners of Nepal, supply of medicines and medical equipment, providing faculty support to various medical institutions.

The assistance towards Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program (IDDCP) is part of the India-Nepal Economic Cooperation Program which has outlay of over 75 billion rupees with more than 510 large and small development projects completed or under implementation in partnership with the Government of Nepal to address the local developmental needs in various districts of Nepal.