Since 1989, without missing a single Wednesday, this 59-year-old medical practitioner has been administering vaccines to children, free of cost

These words of Jesus Christ: “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to Me” are perhaps the driving force for this 59-year-old doctor who made a national record by immunising 20,302 infants since 1989.

Dr Alan Davis Alappat, who started an immunisation centre at his clinic in Kurar Village, Malad, has the distinction of administering vaccines every single Wednesday, without a break since January 11, 1989. He is now in the Limca Book of National Records, 2009.

For Alappat, who has been providing free vaccines, the aim is to eradicate polio by ensuring vaccination especially for children in slums. He believes that his noble profession teaches to heal, relieving people’s pain and suffering. After 20 years of tireless service he says, “It gives me a sense of achievement, which probably wouldn’t have got if I would have charged for vaccines like private clinics. I wouldn’t see broad smiles of the parents when they bring their kids for immunisation.” He adds, “I’ve even worked on Christmas but had to shut the clinic during the 1992-93 riots due to the curfew.”

Alappat says that the idea of sending his details for the records occurred to him after a common friend who’s also a Limca Book record holder recommended him. “He told me to try it he said you should get some recognition for the work you are doing, so I tried it and got lucky,” he recalls.

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