I never intended to hurt Shaikh family in any way: Azad

New Delhi, Aug. 9 (ANI): Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday apologised to the family of 14-year-old swine flu victim Reeda Shaikh for his remarks stating that she was responsible for infecting nearly 85 people of her school.

"I never intended to hurt Shaikh family in any way. I never meant to say the Reeda spread H1N1 infection in Pune," said Azad.

Azad's apology follows Reeda's family members demands for an apology, in writing, by Azad and Union Health Secretary Naresh Dayal.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, while addressing a press conference in Pune, Reeda's mother Sheireen slammed Azad's comments that Reeda might have spread the disease to nearly 85 people of her school.

"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 mother stated on Sunday afternoon.

The family also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry into the entire swine flu crisis management system and formation of a medical committee to deal with the situation. (ANI)