Seven mobile vans set off from Patna on Friday for a female sterilisation programme in the state.

Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi flagged off the vehicles in front of Raj Bhavan. Dedicated to family planning, health workers would carry out a sterilisation programme with intrauterine contraceptive devices.

The health department initiative has been launched in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and non-government organisation Care India.

After a successful pilot programme in Patna district twoyears ago, the drive has been extended to seven more districts. The vans would travel to Begusarai, Saharsa, Samastipur, Khagaria, Gopalganj, East Champaran and West Champaran districts.

Health secretary Anand Kishor said: 'Two auxiliary nurse midwives, two lady health workers and a manager would travel with each of the vans. The sterilisation drive would be conducted with the help of intrauterine contraceptive devices. The device would be inserted into the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy. Each mobile van would take up at least 10-15 sterilisation cases a day. Our target is to provide the sterilisation service to 17,000-20,000 women every year with these mobile vans.'

According to the 2011 census, Bihar has a population of 10.38 crore up from 8.29 crore in 2001.

Sharing details of the mobile vans, Shamik, chief of party, integrated family health initiative, Care India, said: 'The officials would first screen the women to find if they are fit for the procedure. Pregnancy and other tests would be conducted before the procedure.'

Health secretary Kishor added: 'In November 2012, the pilot project was flagged off in Patna district. A total of 2,542 women were covered under the drive. Based on the positive results, the drive is now being intensified.'