Tehran, Iran, March 17
Trend:
Iran should refer to separation in management if it wants to increase its chances of dealing with the spreading coronavirus disease, Tehran MP Behrouz Nemati told Trend.
"Prevention is an important factor, if we're talking about the coronavirus issue. The quarantine of Qom city could've been sufficient, but there were too many debates around this issue," he said.
"The country is sanctioned, and it needs unity. We do appreciate the efforts of the Health Ministry, but the issue is in the management. In the early days of the coronavirus spread, I said that the healthcare and management should be separated," said Nemati.
"The health minister should focus on the health sector, while management should be handled by the government," said the MP.
He also agreed with the urgent measures recommended in Iran to reduce the affection of the coronavirus spread, including for people to stay indoors.
"But the people didn't take the issue seriously. I am terrified to see so many people normally walking to shops and markets as if nothing is going on," he said.
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.