Pune, Aug 9 (Inditop.com) Upset with the remarks of union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the family of 14-year-old Reeda Shaikh, India’s first swine flu fatality, has demanded that he either apologise or resign for saying that Reeda could have spread the disease to 80 others while changing hospitals during treatment.
“We want an apology from the government. He (Azad) has hurt a mother… he has blamed our child, Reeda for having infected 80 others by going to four hospitals. He needs to get his facts right,” Reeda’s emotional mother told reporters here Sunday.
Referring to Reeda, Azad had said earlier, “One small girl went from one hospital to another, then the third and then a fourth hospital to get treatment, and without awareness which is crucial. In the process some 80 people were infected.”
“This little girl who has no social contacts nor does she go to parties transmitted the virus in the course of seeking treatment,” he told reporters Sunday.
Infuriated by the statement, Reeda’s aunt Ayesha Shaikh said: “Our child sacrificed her life for the nation. Because of her death, so many people went for the swine flu test and have tested positive. No one wants another Reeda in their family. Everyone wants their child safe.”
“We want an apology or resignation from Azad otherwise we will go to the prime minister and seek his resignation,” she added.
The family also accused the Maharashtra health department for delaying an enquiry into the death.
“We have filed the case but the police is helpless. We know that the police commissioner has written to the health minister asking about the health committee that was to be set up to probe the incident. But so far nothing has been done.
“There is some nexus involved here – between the Jehangir hospital (where Reeda died Aug 3), Ruby Hall (the lab where she was tested earlier) and the health ministry officials,” the family alleged.
Slamming union Health Secretary Naresh Dayal’s statement that the effect of swine flu in the country is “minimal” and that the situation is under control, Ayesha further said: “If he says that the effect of the virus is still minimal, then it will be minimal even if a 100,000 people die of swine flu.”
Reeda Shaikh’s family has filed a case of criminal negligence against the private Jehangir Hospital where she was admitted and the Ruby Hall Clinic that conducted a test on her.
