Journal of Saveh University of Medical Sciences

Strengthening National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Iran: Establishing an Indigenous System for the Integration and Management of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Data

Document Type : policy brief

Authors

Edris Hoseinzadeh 1
Hossein Masoumi Asl 2
Marjan Rahnamaye Farzami 3
Parnia Abdillahi 4
Alireza Dolatyar 3
Asghar Barati 5

1 saveh univercity of medical science

2 Department of Pediatric, School of Medicine, Firouzabadi Medical Center, Iran University of Medical Sciencec, Tehran, Iran.

3 2. Reference Health Laboratory (RHL), Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

4 1. Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Health Research Center (AI-EHRC), Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran

5 3. University of Urmia, Urmia, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/sumsj.2026.577990.1077
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global and national public health threat, driven by inappropriate antibiotic use and weaknesses in surveillance systems. Lack of standardized and integrated antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data remains a key challenge.
Methods: This policy brief is based on scientific evidence, a review of international experiences, and an analysis of the current AMR surveillance system in Iran, with a focus on the need for an integrated indigenous AMR data management system.
Results: The findings indicate that AMR surveillance in Iran is fragmented and largely dependent on non-indigenous software such as WHONET. This creates challenges, including poor data integration, limited data governance, cybersecurity concerns, and technological dependency.
Conclusion and Policy Recommendations: Development and implementation of an integrated indigenous Antimicrobial Resistance data management system (IAMR) is essential to strengthen national surveillance capacity, improve data-driven decision-making, and support rational antibiotic use in Iran.

Keywords

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
National Surveillance
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST)
Data Integration
Local Software

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