Iran Medical Staff Heartened by Leader’s Support amid Coronavirus Battle: Minister


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Health Minister Saeed Namaki said the country’s health sector and medical staff have been emboldened by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei’s expression of support in the midst of an arduous battle to contain the novel coronavirus.

In a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian health minister praised the Leader’s fatherly support for the country’s health sector personnel in the fight against COVID-19.

Namaki said the “devoted guardians” of health have been emboldened by the Leader’s acknowledgment of their role and efforts.

He added that Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks in praise of the medical personnel helped the families of the doctors and nurses to bear the pain of missing their loved ones who are working day and night to serve the patients.

Ayatollah Khamenei on Tuesday lauded the Iranian physicians, nurses and healthcare personnel for their efforts to contain the coronavirus epidemic, saying their devotion to duty reflects the true sense of responsibility and humanitarian commitment.

The death toll from the novel coronavirus epidemic in Iran rose to 77 on Tuesday, and the total number of confirmed cases of infection reached 2,336. At least 435 people have also recovered from the disease in Iran.

The novel coronavirus has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide, the vast majority in mainland China. There have been more than 88,000 global cases, with infections on every continent except Antarctica.