USAID supported SMC’s project, the Blue Star Program recently commemorated its 20th anniversary through launching a TV commercial in Channel i, NTV, ATN Bangla, RTV and BTV with the pay-off line “Blue Star - Ghorer Kachei Moner Moto Sheba.” The TVC showcases the family planning and other healthcare services offered by Blue Star Providers (BSPs) through 7,000 outlets countrywide.

SMC’s Blue Star Program, a social network with trained non-graduate private sector medical providers, is a unique example of public private partnership which started journey in 1998 in collaboration with the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), Government of Bangladesh. The purpose of this program is to address the primary healthcare need of the target population by improving quality, awareness, accessibility and affordability of products and services through the community based private healthcare providers. SMC is continuously improving the technical knowledge and competency of Blue Star providers to offer wide range of services beyond SMC branded contraceptive injectable ‘SOMA-JECT’. They are providing services on healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy, maternal health (which includes antenatal care and postnatal care), essential new born care, integrated management of childhood illness focusing on ARI/pneumonia, diarrhea, tuberculosis, child nutrition, counseling and referral services. The new TVC highlights major activities of the program including injectable administration, promoting micronutrient powder MoniMix, counseling TB patients, etc.