Bihar Government Unveils Ambitious Family Planning Initiative
In a significant move towards population stabilisation, Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey declared on Thursday that the state health department is fully committed to ensuring universal access to family planning services. The announcement marks a renewed focus on reproductive health and informed decision-making for families across Bihar.
Structured Campaign Timeline
The minister revealed a meticulously planned campaign schedule, beginning with Dampatti Sampark Week from February 23 to March 5. This initial phase will be immediately followed by a comprehensive family planning service fortnight running from March 6 to 20. This dual-phase approach is designed to systematically expand awareness and provide timely services to eligible couples throughout the state.
Grassroots Mobilisation Strategy
According to Minister Pandey, the campaign aims to educate communities about the complete spectrum of family planning options available, ensuring that individuals receive services of their choice promptly. To achieve this, the department will mobilise a vast network of community-level workers, including:
- ASHA workers
- Anganwadi workers
- Jeevika Didis
- Vikas Mitra
- Other community partners
These frontline personnel will play a crucial role in motivating families and supporting informed decision-making at the grassroots level, creating a bottom-up approach to healthcare delivery.
Enhanced Coordination Mechanisms
To strengthen coordination and on-ground management, the health department will convene district-level meetings under the chairmanship of district officers. These gatherings will include participation from:
- Concerned government departments
- Public representatives
- District and block-level officers from Jeevika
- Officials from the Mahadalit Vikas Mission
The department has committed to ensuring uninterrupted supply of family welfare materials from district stores to health sub-centres through dedicated free medicine vehicles, addressing logistical challenges that often hinder service delivery.
Sterilisation and Vasectomy Services
Minister Pandey detailed that sterilisation and vasectomy services will be organised through carefully planned medical camps. These camps will involve coordinated efforts among:
- Medical officers
- Camp managers
- Health managers
- Block teams
- Counsellors
- Frontline staff including Ayush doctors, CHOs, staff nurses, ANMs, and ASHAs
Each camp will target between 15 to 30 beneficiaries, with all necessary basic facilities ensured for safe and effective procedures.
Innovative Public Awareness Initiatives
For public awareness, the department will implement e-rickshaw-based publicity campaigns in every block for five days from March 1 to 8, 2026, excluding the Holi holiday period. Additionally, Saas Bahu Beti conferences will be conducted at:
- Urban Primary Health Centres
- Health sub-centres
- Anganwadi centres
These conferences aim to engage multiple generations of women in discussions about reproductive health and family planning choices.
Post-Procedure Support
In a compassionate measure, beneficiaries undergoing sterilisation or vasectomy procedures will be provided with free transport home through government ambulances. This initiative addresses practical concerns and ensures that financial or logistical barriers do not prevent individuals from accessing these essential services.
The comprehensive campaign reflects Bihar's determined approach to population stabilisation through education, accessibility, and community engagement, setting a precedent for public health initiatives in the region.
