Iranian Health Ministry Spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday that his country is the biggest producer of masks to prevent the coronavirus epidemic in Southwest Asia, adding that it can export excess production to other states.
“At present, we are the biggest producer of masks in Southwest Asia, and we might be the only producer of PCR diagnosis kits in the region,” Jahanpour told reporters via a video conference.
He added that Iran has now develop capacities for the production of hygiene products and coronavirus diagnosis kits that it has now satiated domestic needs and made necessary planning for their strategic depot, noting that excess production can be exported or gifted to other countries to be used in fight against the COVID-19 virus epidemic.
Last week, Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari said Iranian knowledge-based companies have developed such a capability that they now can export extra equipment needed for treating coronavirus patients to the other countries.
"The Iranian knowledge-based companies made the ICU and the CCU equipment, CT-scan machines, coronavirus diagnostic kits, disinfectants, and 6 million masks a day," Sattari said.
He added that if the Iranian Health Ministry issues the permit to export the medical equipment, the knowledge-based firms can do it.
Iran on Monday donated 10,000 protective face-masks to Afghanistan as a symbol of solidarity and cooperation in the battle against coronavirus outbreak in the country and the region.
Iranian consulate in Herat announced that Tehran donated 10,000 protective masks to Herat health office.
The Iranian masks were delivered by Iranian Deputy Consul General in Herat Ali Akbar Baba.
Iran had sent its first aid cargo including 5,000 test kits to Afghanistan last week.
Also, on Monday, Lebanon received Iran’s package of ventilators and PCR kits in the presence of Minister of Public Works and Transport Michel Najjar, Foreign Minister Nassif Youssef Hitti and Health Minister Hamad Hassan.
Hassan underlined the importance of the aid cargo, describing it as a message of brotherhood and sincerity by the Islamic Republic.
“We made lots of efforts in the health ministry to attain this equipment via our European partners and international organizations but we could receive a few of them after hard work,” he added.
Hassan said that the ventilators enjoy the same quality as their European counterparts and "receiving them in this sensitive situation is important".
Hitti also appreciated Iran for its assistance to Lebanon, wishing more technological success and health for the Iranian nation.
Najjar, for his part, described the gift as an indicator of Iran’s kindness and brotherhood with Lebanon.