Access to increasing the Contraceptive Injectables through drug shop in Bangladesh, presented in the 3rd International FP conference in November 2013 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at its African Union Centre.

1. Helping you live better

2. Introduction
Introduction
 Blue Star is a network of private
sector providers managed by
Social Marketing Company
(SMC) Bangladesh
 SMC is one of the largest Social
Marketing Organization in the
world delivering over 4 million
CYPs annually
 Blue Star was set up to actively
engage the private sector in the
delivery of Family Planning and
other health services since a
vast majority of the population
depend on them for their health
needs
Helping you live better

3. Characteristics of the Blue Star Provider
Characteristics of the Blue Star Provider
network
network

Partnership on the basis of an MOU:
service delivery compliance, pricing,
quality etc

Providers practice through chemist shops
majority of which are owned by them

They provide oral contraceptives,
administer SMC Injectable SOMA-JECT in
addition to other health services

Contraceptives, specially Injectables are
sold at subsidized rate; providers charge
nominal fees

Also acts as referral agent for TB, LA/PM
and MNH

SMC provides basic and refreshers
training, certificate, signage, promotional
support, monitoring, follow up and
commodity supply
Helping you live better

4. What makes Blue Star Special
What makes Blue Star Special
 Works with existing providers
7%
81%
who practice within the
community
12%
 Highly rural focused where FP
services are most needed
Urban City Corporation
Urban Municipality
Rural
 Widely accessible: over 4000
providers in the network at
present
 Only provider offering
Injectable contraceptive in the
private sector
 Public private sector
partnership
 Over branded products
Helping you live better

5. Methodology of assessment
Methodology of assessment
/evaluation of Blue Star program
/evaluation of Blue Star program
 During the course of the program which started
in 1998 several external evaluations, routine
data collection, and special marketing surveys
done
 Between 2001 and 2010, regular evaluations
of the Blue Star Program were conducted and
the objectives of the evaluations were to



assess program outcomes
identify program gaps, and
make recommendations for future programming.
Helping you live better

6. Blue Star Provider by sex
Blue Star Provider by sex
Sex ratio of the GMPs
Sex ratio of the NGMPs
Source: SMC Blue Star database
Helping you live better

7. Blue Star provider by Location
Blue Star provider by Location
Source: SMC Blue Star database
Helping you live better

8. Source: SMC Blue Star database
Helping you live better

9. National CPR: 61.2
Injectable: 11%
Source: BDHS survey
Helping you live better

10. Source: Evaluation of Blue Star Program 2010
Helping you live better

11. Source: Evaluation of Blue Star Program 2010
Helping you live better

12. Source: SMC IMIS
Helping you live better

13. Helping you live better

14. Lesson Learned
 No. of female NGMPs are very low, it needs to be focused to increase
female NGMP’s participation
Existing NGMPs are mostly located in rural area, it has scope to expand
in peri-urban and urban area.
 Availability of the product is very important for sustainability and
expansion of the program in the future
 Provision of required logistics and supplies are required for quality service
delivery
 Record keeping and regular reporting is an important element to offer
quality services
Helping you live better

15. Potential for Future
Potential for Future
 Can play a significant role in expanding the use
of Long Acting FP methods (IUDs, Implants)
 Improved sustainability through introduction of
higher margin products and services
Helping you live better

16. Blue Star:
Quality Service
close to your home
Please visit www.smc-bd.org
Helping you live better