Kushtia Regional Workshop Recognizes the Best Blue Star Providers For Their Exemplary Performance in Quality Service Delivery

With the aim of sharing experiences, best practices and increasing motivation level of Blue Star Providers to offer public health priority services under the program, SMC started organizing Regional Workshop of Blue Star Providers with Sylhet in May 2011 followed by Chittagong, Comilla, Barisal, Bogra, Rajshahi, Khulna and very recently at Kushtia on March 21, 2013. The Workshop was divided into three sessions: Knowledge/Technical part, inaugural with GoB high officials followed by Experience sharing/Recognition for Best performance sessions. ..more

Regional Workshop of Blue Star Providers at Khulna Rejuvenates Commitment to Provide Quality Service Delivery

Considering the need for sharing experiences, best practices and increasing motivation level of Blue Star Providers to offer public health priority services under the program, SMC started organizing Regional Workshop of Blue Star Providers with Sylhet in May 2011 followed by Chittagong, Comilla, Barisal, Bogra, Rajshahi, and very recently at Khulna on February 19, 2013...more

Regional Workshop of Blue Star Providers at Rajshahi Generates Motivation for Improving Performance in Service Delivery

Blue Star Program of SMC kicked off in June 1998 to augment the utilization of public health services through improving its quality, awareness, accessibility and affordability implemented by community based private health service delivery providers. A total of 3,791 Blue Star Providers are currently positioned across the country under this program. With the aim of sharing experiences, best practices and increasing motivation level of the providers to offer public health priority service under the program, SMC started organizing Regional Workshop of Blue Star Providers with Sylhet in May 2011 followed by Chittagong, Comilla, Barisal, Bogra and  lately at Rajshahi on January 22, 2013. ...more

Orientation Program for the Key Staff of the Community Mobilization Partners of MIH Program Held

Message Development Workshop on the Key Communication Packages of MIH Program held in Dhaka

SMC’s BCC department arranged a “Message Development Workshop for Community Mobilization Activities of Marketing Innovation for Health (MIH) Program” on 19 December 2012 at a local hotel with participants from IEM of DGFP and Health Education Unit of DGHS, International organizations related to Family planning and Reproductive health (Engender Health, Marie Stopes, and JICA), Health Professionals Association (OGSB), Executives from national NGOs and Partner NGOs of MIH program. ..more 

Regional Workshop for Blue Star Providers at Bogra stresses on renewed commitment to provide quality of care for mother and child

The journey of SMC’s Blue Star Program began in June 1998 to increase utilization of public health services by improving its quality, awareness, accessibility and affordability through the community based private health providers. About 3,791 Blue Star Providers are currently working across the country under this program. SMC organized the First Regional Blue Star Workshop in May 2011 at Sylhet with the objective of sharing experiences, best practices and increasing motivation level of the providers to offer public health priority service under the program. Based on the positive experience of the Sylhet Workshop, SMC successfully organized the workshops in Chittagong, Comilla, Barisal and very recently at Bogra on December 19, 2012. .....more

SMC ORGANISES THIRD REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF BLUE STAR PROVIDERS IN COMILLA

The Annual Company Conference of Social Marketing Company (SMC) for FY – 2011 was held at the Nandan Park in Savar, Dhaka on February 17, 2012. The conference provided an opportunity for all SMC employees irrespective of their position or grade and location of posting to meet socially and share their experiences. .. more

The American Week this year sponsored by the U.S. Embassy was organised in the port city of Chittagong from January 30 to February 1, 2012. The event highlighted the activities and achievements of US government funded programmes in Bangladesh through setting up of display booths and presentations of the work of different projects. The Honourable Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation Mr. M. Manjur Alam and the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh H. E. Mr. Dan Mozena inaugurated the event at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the M. A. Aziz Stadium Complex. .. more

Social Marketing Company (SMC) has recently signed an agreement with the construction firm Messer’s Siddique & Company Ltd. for the vertical extension of the existing SMC head office building “SMC Tower” in Banani from the 9th floor to the 19th floor. .. more

A half-day long Message Development Workshop on Long Acting Family Planning Methotds was held at a hotel in Dhaka on April 05, 2012. The Workshop was organised by SMC in collaboration with Directorate-General of Family Planning (DGFP) of MoHFW, SHOPS, EngenderHealth, SHOPS and the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB). .. more

SMC’s Annual Conference for FY 2011 Held

Social Marketing Company (SMC), the largest privately managed non-profit social marketing organisation in a single country, held its Annual Conference for the Fiscal Year 2011 at a city hotel in Dhaka on January 05, 2012. Mr. Jalal Uddin Ahmed, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of SMC, was present on the occasion as the Chief Guest. ..more

Regional Workshop for the Blue Star Providers in Chittagong: An Effective Forum for Sharing Best Practices among the Providers

SMC’s Blue Star Program began in June 1998 to increase utilisation of public health services by improving its quality, awareness, accessibility and affordability through the community based private health providers. About 4,000 Blue Star Providers are currently working across the country under this program. ..more

SMC featured in USAID’s International Publication “FRONTLINES”

Social Marketing Company (SMC) has been highlighted as feature article in the “FRONTLINES” - the official publication of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Titled as “Spreading the Word: Marketing Campaigns Become Linchpin to Improving Bangladeshis’ Health” appeared in the November/December 2011 issue of the periodical. SMC’s activities were highlighted as an example of effective health marketing campaigns supported by USAID globally. “This is a great recognition for SMC considering that it was featured on the issue of FRONTLINES published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of USAID,” remarked SMCs Managing Director, Mr. Ashfaq Rahman. The full text of the news item may be found at:

http://www.usaid.gov/press/frontlines/fl_nov11/FL_nov11_50_BANGLADESH.html

The First Global Conference on Social Franchising took place between November 9 and 11, 2011 in Mombasa, Kenya at the White Sands Hotel. It was hosted by the Global Health Group of the University of California, San Francisco with funding from a number of international donors and institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Glaser Progress Foundation, Marie Stopes International, Population Services International, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID.

Over 160 delegates from 52 organizations and 35 countries participated in the conference. Kenyan Minister of Health Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o inaugurated the event. The Blue Star Programme of the Social Marketing Company (SMC) received an award for “Innovation and Prioritization of Quality Assurance” in the conference which was handed over by Sir Richard G. A. Feachem, Director of the Global Health Group during a ceremonial event. The Managing Director Mr. Ashfaq Rahman and Manager, Blue Star Programme Dr. Salah Uddin Ahmed represented SMC at the conference.  

Expanding Partnerships with the Private Sector; SMC Signs Agreements with Renata and Popular Pharmaceuticals for Production of ORSaline-N and Femicon

SMC has recently signed an agreement with two major pharmaceutical companies for contract manufacturing SMC ORSaline- N and Femicon oral contraceptive pill. Under the agreement, Popular Pharmaceuticals will produce 120 million sachets of ORSaline-N by September 2012 while Renata Pharmaceuticals will produce 30 million cycles of SMC’s popular oral contraceptive pill, Femicon by December 2012. ....more 

SMC organises Regional Conference of Blue Star Providers in Sylhet

Director General, Directorate-General of Family Planning Visits SMC Head Office

Director General, Directorate-General of Family Planning Mr. M. M. Neaz Uddin along with some of his colleagues visited SMC Head Office on May 15, 2011. The purpose of the visit was to share SMC’s programmes with him and get his ideas and feedback about future collaboration in different programme areas. Mr. Ashfaq Rahman, Managing Director, SMC, made a presentation on SMC programmes during the visit. While commenting on the Visitors’ Book, the DG wrote that SMC was doing very good in the field of family planning and health and he wished SMC’s overall success in future.

New Managing Director of Social Marketing Company

Mr. Ashfaq Rahman has joined SMC as its Managing Director with effect from February 14, 2011. Mr. Rahman has long 20 years of experience in Social Marketing covering areas of Reproductive Health, Family Planning, Child Health and HIV/AIDS prevention. .. more

Government Officials Visited Activities of SMC Central Ware House

A 13-member government delegation led by Mr. Md. Saiful Islam, Additional Director (Drugs & Stores), Central Ware House, DGFP, Mohakhali, Dhaka, paid a day-long visit to the SMC Central Ware House (CWH) and its adjacent ORSaline Factory in Bhaluka, Mymensingh on December 08, 2010. On arrival at the CWH premises, they were received by SMC Factory in-Charge Mr. Pranab Majumder and other high officials.  The delegation included officials from the Central Warehouse, Dhaka; Regional Ware House (RWH), Chittagong; RWH Noakhali, RWH, Sylhet, RWH Mymensingh, RWH Jamalpur and L&S Unit, DGFP, Dhaka. .. more

SMC Receives the “International Quality Crown Award" in the Diamond Category for Leadership, Quality, Innovation and Excellence

Social Marketing Company has recently been awarded the “International Quality Crown Award" from the Business Initiative Directions (B.I.D.), which is a Madrid-based business organisation which recognizes the achievement of organisations committed to building better business reputation worldwide through their commitment to quality and excellence. .. more

SMC Receives the New Era Award for Technology, Innovation and Quality

Social Marketing Company has recently been awarded the “New Era Award for Technology, Innovation and Quality” by the selection Committee of ‘OMAC’ (Other Ways Management and Consulting Association) in recognition of its achievement in quality, excellence and total customer satisfaction. more...

SMC Signs MOU with Save the Children USA

Social Marketing Company (SMC) and Save the Children USA (SC) has signed an MOU on April 20, 2010 to pilot a partnership where Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) of Jibon-O-Jibika (JOJ) project have been incorporated into sustainable social marketing efforts. more....

Director General, Directorate of Family Planning Visits SMC Factory Complex

Mr. Mohammad Abdul Qayyum, Director General, Directorate of Family Planning, Government of Bangladesh along with his associates visited SMC Factory Complex and Central Ware House in Bhaluka, Mymensingh on December 30, 2009. more......

SMC Participates in the ICPD – 15 Symposium in Dhaka

SMC has participated  in the Bangladesh ICPD -15 Symposium followed by a fair to commemorate the 15 years of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on November 10, 2009. The event was organized by Ministry of Health & Family Planning & UNFPA, Bangladesh. SMC’s stall in the fair was highly appreciated by the Special Envoy to UN Secretary General Dr. Nafis Sadik and other visitors.

SMC Observes Global Hand Washing Day

Social Marketing Company (SMC) organized an event to celebrate the Global Hand Washing Day on October 15, 2009. It was held at the Shabuj Shongho field of Tejgaon, Dhaka and in Kepri cinema hall of Tongi, Gazipur with hundreds of kids and their parents participating in these day-long activities. more.....

SMC a significant contributor to the National Family Planning Programme

The Final Report Dissemination on Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) was held in March 2009. According to BDHS, Social Marketing Company has made a major contribution in the National Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR). As per report, the total CPR of the country is 55.8 percent with modern methods at 47.5 percent. SMC contributed 45 percent CPR of pills, 57 percent CPR of condoms and 20 percent of injectables. In other words, seven out of every twenty modern contraceptive users are now using SMC brand contraceptives.

Over the years, there has been a substantial increase of users obtaining methods from SMC source. In BDHS, 2007, 35 percent of the modern contraceptive users reported that they use SMC brand contraceptives, compared to 23 percent in BDHS, 2000 and 30 percent in BDHS, 2004.

SMC Adds fourth ORS Production Line at its Factory and inaugurates its Central Warehouse in Mymensingh

Social Marketing Company, the largest supplier of packaged Oral Rehydration Salt in the country, commissioned the fourth line for “ORSaline” at its factory located in Bhaluka, Mymensingh on April 28, 2008. more....