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

Articles in Press

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

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
Journal of Saveh University of Medical Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 June 2026

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