SMC was launched in 1984 as a 'Family Planning Social Marketing Project' funded by USAID. In 1990, it became a non-profit business. Since 2012, SMC has shown its ability to run on its own. In 2014, SMC Enterprise Limited created a separate for-profit organization. SMC is going through a complex management of non-profit and profitable activities. The Board of Directors is made up of eminent persons of the country. The members of the board give time and advice there without any remuneration.
SMC is the largest partner of the government in the population sector. The Government of Bangladesh is playing a major role in meeting the targets in the health and population sectors.
SMC products are produced in three large factories. SMC has strong channels for distribution and marketing of these products across the country. Through this channel, SMC products reach 1 lakh 15 thousand drug stores, 1 lakh 60 thousand grocery stores and 50 big NGOs. About 2,600 women entrepreneurs sold SMC products in 93 upazilas of 20 priority districts. They are called 'Goldstar Members'. There are eight thousand 'Blue Star' members all over the country. They make people aware of specific areas as well as help people to go to the service center. And there are 500 'Pink Star' members. They are basically physicians with degrees. These doctors help with the use of IUDs or implants.
SMC Deputy Managing Director Taslim Uddin Khan told Prothom Alo, “SMC has a strong network of product distribution and service delivery. Network members or staff deliver health or population messages to people. People are aware, demand is created in people. The same workers then sell SMC birth control products or public health products to the people at low prices. They get a profit from there. '
Be smart, do the right thing
According to the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (2016-17), 38% of able-bodied couples in the country use SMC birth control pills. 72% of condom users use SMC condoms. There are 13 types of SMC condoms in the market now. SMC officials say the price of these condoms is within the reach of the poor.
There are several types of birth control pills on the market today. According to the same survey, SMC provides 48 percent of the pills taken by women. There are eight brands of SMC pills available in the market. In addition, 33 percent of injectable birth control pills come from this organization.
SMC has a strong network of product delivery and service delivery. They convey the message of health or population to the people. People are aware, demand is created in people.
Taslim Uddin Khan, Deputy Managing Director, SMC
The promotion of birth control pills in the country started mainly through Raja condoms and Maya pills. Once upon a time there was a slogan to increase the use of these materials: 'Be smart, do the right thing'. Such slogans were ingrained in the minds of the people with the Raja-Maya campaign. The people of the country are motivated to do just that. The use of birth control pills has increased in the country and the birth rate per woman has decreased.
Eating saline means SMC's Orsaline
According to statistics, in 2019, 104 crore packets of food saline produced by SMC were sold across the country. It accounted for 55 percent of all saline packets sold nationwide.
Saline plays a major role in the treatment of diarrhea, especially in children. The increase in the use of this saline has resulted in a reduction in the mortality of children under five years of age in the country and also a reduction in the incidence of diseases in children.
Orsaline is available in all drug stores, large and small, across the country. Orsaline is also found in grocery stores, remote chars or hilly areas. Orsaline use has become a habit of the people of Bangladesh. Many families or individuals are seen keeping a couple of packets of Orsaline at home as a necessity. Many carry it with them when traveling. The success of Orsaline inspired SMC to create more public health products. Monomix rich in micronutrients has found a big market.
SMC has introduced sanitary napkins for women at relatively low prices. SMC's Jaya Sanitary Napkin is now very popular in the country. In addition, they have a 'quick test' for easy and quick pregnancy test.
There are a total of 36 SMC products in the market including condoms, pills, Orsaline, drinks, Monimix.
Creative strategies for changing habits
Fifty years ago, it was not easy to talk openly about birth control. In such an environment SMC started working to change people's habits and behavior. They started campaigning on state radio, television and newspapers with different types of birth control methods and materials. They have used billboards, banners and festoons all over the country. Write all kinds of information and messages on walls, buildings or water tanks. In the same work, they painted on the back of the rickshaw and in the market bag. The logo of King Condom was seen on the sail of the boat.
SMC had a mobile film program to convey information to the general public and to motivate the people. Through this program, information was provided to the people through audio visuals of hundreds of rural haat bazaars as well as advertisement of SMC products. Many think it was the largest social marketing program in the world.
SMC has changed the type of work in the evolution of time. They are bringing new services as well as new products to the market. The profit that is being made by selling some products is being used in non-profit health programs. Philosophy of SMC is a non-profit service.
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