SMC recently held two experience sharing meetings in Dhaka and Chittagong with providers, who have received training and are offering Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) methods under the USAID funded Marketing Innovation for Health (MIH) program. Under MIH, SMC has built a network of graduate doctors to address the current situation of low acceptance of Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives and expand use.

The purpose of these meetings were to bring LARC providers together, allow them to share their success stories, the challenges that they face and the strategies that may be followed in reducing misconceptions and overcoming clients’ unwillingness to accept these methods. Doctors, mostly female OB GYN, under the network from Dhaka West and Chittagong District enthusiastically participated in the discussion sessions. They mentioned that their clients were gradually getting interested in these methods but added that fear of side effects remained a major barrier to use. They strongly advocated the use of mass media to promote the generic benefits of the methods and create a positive image for the brands. Dr. Farhana Dewan, Head, OB GYN, Shahid Suhrawardy Medical College took a lead role throughout the discussions.

Mr. Ashfaq Rahman, Managing Director, SMC and Mr. Toslim Uddin Khan, GM, Program, SMC spoke at the meetings and assured the doctors of all possible support to create demand for Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives. In the meeting held in Dhaka, Mr. Md Ali Reza Khan, Deputy Managing Director, SMC and Dr. Sukumar Sarker, Senior Policy Advisor, OPHNE, USAID were also present.