Updates on measures against COVID-19 by Iran (15 March 2020))
As one of the most impacted countries by the current outbreak of COVID-19, Iran has been implementing a number of effective and immediate measures to stem the spread of the virus prior to the outbreak and afterwards:
The National Steering Committee was established under the chairmanship of the Vice-President of I.R. Iran to contain Coronavirus. Furthermore, a national scientific committee has been established to discuss experimental treatment protocols and case definitions by the Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MHME).
MHME takes the lead in efforts to tackle the disease and launched a national campaign to control COVID-19. This emphasizes early case detection, contact tracing, isolation, treatment and community engagement. “Health officials and health workers are clearly working very hard, and are committed to controlling this outbreak and saving lives”.
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In addition to designation of tens hospitals across the country for treatment of the infected people by coronavirus, a network of 35 diagnosis laboratories are dedicated to the affected cases and at least 20 more will be added
Inter-sectorial coordination has been launched to foster response capacities by all the ministries and other relevant national institutions. Iran’s national TV and Radio as well as other mass media have been actively engaged in risk communication and communities’ awareness. Likewise, in order to ensure a rapid, reliable, and transparent information sharing mechanism for the Public, a special hotline (190) has been set up to answer questions/concerns of the public regarding COVID-19.
MHME has also been in close contact with the WHO to better and tailored responding to the situation and in accordance with IHR guidelines. In this context, a WHO technical team made a field visit to the country early March 2020. The team acknowledged that “Iran’s strategies and priorities to control COVID19 are evolving in the right direction, a comprehensive coordinated approach is being applied, and solid work is being done especially in the areas of case management, laboratories, and risk communications.” However, “like every affected country worldwide, Iran’s health system is being significantly challenged by the outbreak” and given the global nature of the fight against the disease, a lot of works remain to be done including through international community’s assistance to Iran. The WHO team also viewed the restrictions on borders trade and traffic, beyond IHR, as “unnecessary” which interrupts the dispatches of humanitarian assistance into Iran and the country’s ongoing fight against COVID-19.
As of 15 March 2020, the total number of confirmed cases in Iran reached to 12729, and 611 deaths has been recorded since the beginning of the outbreak. On the positive side, 4339 patients have recovered.
The government of I.R. Iran welcomes international assistance, through providing necessary medical needs and necessities by the UN system, in particular WHO and UNICEF and also by international communities.
Iranian embassies and consulates, across the world, have scaled up their interactions with host countries and the volunteer communities in facilitating the shipments of required medical equipment.
As a serious challenge to the international community, COVID-19 requires a globally coordinated response. However, it is deplorable that illegal, extra-territorial and unilateral coercive measures by the US Government continue to hamper Iran’s national efforts and capacities to contain the disease.
The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed in combating COVID-19 outbreak by, inter alia, implementation of robust containment and control activities and providing health assistance to the affected people.
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran-Yerevan
Photo: Reuters
