The Process of Establishing and Managing a Laboratory Diagnostic Network in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran

COVID-19 pandemic caused by the newly emerged Coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and rapidly spread throughout the world. With the rapid spread of the disease, all countries involved in accordance with their capacities took necessary measures to identify and manage the disease. The first patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 in Iran in February 2020. Considering the significant role of the laboratory services in detection and management of the disease, planning and programming to provide access to these services was considered as a top priority for healthcare system in Iran. Adopting all existing laboratory capacities and providing necessary infrastructures for expanding COVID-19 laboratory diagnostics, resulted in establishment of a nationwide network of COVID-19 molecular diagnostic laboratories within the shortest possible time. In addition to expanding the capacity of laboratory services, improving the laboratory network’s performance have been taken into serious consideration. In spite of the strict sanctions, the COVID-19 molecular diagnostic laboratories scaled up to more than 430 laboratories currently (September 2021), mostly are operating in the private sector. With considerable efforts, COVID-19 molecular laboratory network was established to provide nationwide diagnostic services. Taking into account the capacity for performing SARS CoV-2 Rapid Antigen testing, at the moment, we are able to provide more than 100,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests per day. However, due to continuation of the pandemic and in accordance with the needs of the health system, it is necessary to plan and carry out more activities for diagnostic testing of COVID-19. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the process of establishing the COVID-19 laboratory diagnostic network to manage the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.