Rouhani: Iran outdid Western countries in coronavirus response

TEHRAN (Agencies): President Hassan Rouhani has hailed Iran’s response to the new coronavirus pandemic, highlighting the marked quality of Tehran’s performance compared to that of some major Western countries similarly affected by the fast-spreading disease.

Addressing a cabinet session in Tehran on Wednesday, the president recalled how his government endeavored to not allow the Iranian people to feel any shortage of staples, especially food and sanitary items, in the wake of the outbreak.

“You can compare Iran to other countries,” he said, in reference to nearly 170 nations that have been already affected by the virus.

“Compare Tehran to London, Berlin, and Paris… See for yourselves what is going on there. Shop racks have been emptied and people got into a fight over a roll of toilet paper,” President Hassan Rouhani said. “The people there are concerned about foodstuffs and their hospitals say they have run out of beds.”

“However, we rushed to supply the public requirements amid the situation,” Rouhani said, adding that the government has done all in its power to deal with the crisis.

President Hassan Rouhani said following the outbreak, the country increased the capacity for producing sanitary and medical products for the general public and the medical personnel, while also meeting part of the demand through imports.

He assured the nation that the country would not face any shortage of medical supplies and hospital beds, and that public and private medical sectors as well as the Armed Forces will continue to serve the people.

President Hassan Rouhani expressed delight in the news that in the north-central city of Qom and the northern province of Gilan, which took the brunt of the outbreak after its emergence, “the outbreak is past its peak.”