20 January,2010 10:16 AM IST | | IANS
India demanded an inquiry to establish why the World Health Organisation (WHO) pressed the panic button over the outbreak of swine flu, which many believe has benefited pharmaceutical companies.
"We definitely demand an inquiry into the whole issue. WHO is not god," Union Minister of State for Health Dinesh Trivedi told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
"The inquiry will tell us why there was an alarm sounded by the WHO. Even the western media is questioning the WHO on this. We are definitely demanding an inquiry," Trivedi said.
Earlier in the day, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said his ministry had always advocated people not to panic.
ALSO READ
Mid-Day Top News: Maharashtra assembly polls likely only after Diwali and more
Congress: Centre insensitive to statehood restoration demand, will be poll issue
Haryana Assembly elections: Ramdas Athawale's RPI(A) seeks 2 seats from BJP
NC to prioritise lifting of AFSPA if voted to power in J-K, says Omar Abdullah
BJP may ally with regional parties, independents: Omar Abdullah
"And you know why we have said not to panic six months back," Azad said at the Editor's Conference on social sector issues here.
So far, India has reported over 1,100 deaths due to the contagious virus and over 28,000 people have been infected with the disease till now.
