New Delhi: Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday apologised to a family whose daughter was the first in the country to die of swine flu.
Azad had said in New Delhi he suspected Rida Shaikh, a 14-year-old Pune schoolgirl, who died August 3, spread the virus to 80 people by visiting more than one hospital.
"The girl may have infected at least 80 more people with swine flu virus when she was shifted from one hospital to another and then against to another hospital for her treatment," said Azad.
He issued and apology after the girl’s family demanded his resignation for his "insensitive remarks".
“I never intended to hurt Shaikh family in any way. I never meant to say the Reeda spread H1N1 infection in Pune,” Azad said in Delhi on Sunday evening.
Rida’s mother alleged Azad had his facts wrong. "We want an apology from the government. (Azad) has hurt a mother... He has blamed our child for having infected around 80 others. He needs to get his facts right," she said.
The girl's aunt, Ayesha Shaikh, said: "Our child sacrificed her life for the nation. Because of her death so many people went for swine flu test and have tested positive. We want an apology or resignation from Azad."
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