TEHRAN, Iran, March. 17
Trend:
Iran has decided to allocate some 250 million euros for import of needed medicines and medical equipment to battle the coronavirus spread, Trend reports citing IRNA.
In order to facilitate and accelerate the supply of currency needed for medicine and medical equipment import, an urgent meeting was held with the presence of deputy minister of health and the Central Bank officials.
The central bank announced that it will provide the currency needed to import the necessary items as soon as possible in coordination with the Ministry of Health.
As Iran struggles to fight the coronavirus outbreak, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has made a public plea for sanctions relief and medical supplies.
Zarif tweeted March 12 that the efforts to fight the virus “are stymied by vast shortages caused by restrictions on our people’s access to medicine/equipment.” He went on, “Viruses don’t discriminate. Nor should humankind.”
Zarif also wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calling for the end of US sanctions as Iran battles the disease.
Iran is one of the countries heavily affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 14,900 people have been infected, 853 people have already died. Meanwhile, over 4,900 have reportedly recovered from the disease.
The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease.
Following the reports of coronavirus spread in the Islamic Republic, several countries have taken measures, including closing borders and banning flights.
The Islamic Republic only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19.