The alternate vaccine delivery system (AVDS) has been a boon for the immunisation programme in the country ensuring that vaccines and logistics are delivered on site on the immunisation session days.

This enables the health workers to provide immunisation services to the community, especially, in remote far- flung areas of the country. The AVDS provider is often a local person who could be engaged in this activity on a part time basis. Each Planning unit (either a PHC or CHC) has an AVDS map, route chart, vaccine delivery details, contact persons’ names and telephone number to aid in the timely delivery of the vaccines and bring back unused vaccines after the completion of the immunisation session.

Barwani and Alirajpur districts of Madhya Pradesh have a team of such dedicated AVDS service providers who are relentlessly working to support immunisation service delivery in the toughest and remotest areas of the district.

These ‘Men in Pink’ known by this name due to the pink shirts which they wear as their uniform during their working hours move in motor cycles falia to falia and to various tolas. Tolas and Falias are the local words for small habitations and hamlets which dot the landscape of the districts of Madhya Pradesh. These men, in pink, are the beacons of hope for the community of this district.

Motorcycles are the only resort to travel in these far flung areas of Barwani and Alirajpur because of the road conditions. To prevent the damage to the vaccine boxes, the district officials convinced some of the AVD persons to install metal boxes in both the sides of a motorcycle. The district installed these metal installations from their district fund. These installations not only prevent the damage of the vaccine boxes, but also protect them from the scorching heat of sun.

Gagaprasad Saste, a young man from Badwani is one such driving force of AVDS of villages under Semlet Sub-centre of Barwani.

He has been working as an AVD in this district for last 3 years. He works as a Kufli seller in these areas and has been working for over 5 years and is familiar with every nook and corner of the area.

Gangaprasad is also famous in this area for his singing talent and already recorded few albums on traditional Nimari songs of Barwani. The district officials used his talent along with his familiarity of the village.