Improving Iran’S Covid-19 Response: Lessons From Comparative Experiences Health Systems Publisher



Yarmohammadian MH ; Atighechian G ; Aminirarani M ; Rahmati E ; Dehghani S ; Shafiei N
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2025

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, as an unprecedented global crisis, has tested health systems around the world and highlighted the need to review national response plans. This policy brief, with the aim of providing practical solutions for improving Iran’s COVID-19 response, is based on the findings of a comparative-analytical study of the experiences of five selected countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The findings show that the effectiveness of interventions is related to the implementation context, the quality of management, and the ability to attract community participation. The analysis of these countries’ experiences highlighted important policy options, including mandatory mask use, the deployment of contact tracing systems, the implementation of smart quarantines, investment in primary care, and transparency in information provision. However, the implementation considerations and potential barriers to each of these strategies, from cultural and infrastructure challenges to privacy issues and structural constraints, require serious planning. For example, the success of strategies such as “contact tracing” depends on a high level of public trust, which is built through transparency and honesty. Accordingly, the final prioritization of strategies for the Iranian context is presented based on the basic requirements for building resilience. In this regard, “establishing transparent governance and integrated information” are identified as a fundamental building block and “strengthening the primary health care system” as a key long-term strategy. These two strategies enable the effective implementation of other short-and medium-term interventions, such as mandatory mask wearing and situational quarantines. This document introduces the need to invest in public trust and basic health infrastructure to achieve a resilient health system with a preventive approach. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.