Pink Star Program (PSP)

SMC provides training and ensures supply of IUD and Implant contraceptives to the doctors at subsidized price. The doctor who are mostly OBGYN and willing to contribute in national family planning program especially long acting contraceptives are eligible to enroll in the Pink Star network. In addition, they are also promoting Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women.

In Bangladesh, IUD use rate has remained plateau over the past decade. The main factor behind this scenario is the negative image on IUD associated with side effects and complications. Myths and misconceptions about IUD has also contributed to the negative impact for acceptance of the method. The provision of offering IUD through graduate doctor is significantly contributing to regain its image. SMC overbranded IUD as Relax and Implant as i-plant as a marketing strategy. 

A branded signboard is hanged outside of the chamber of the providers. SMC promote the Pink Star outlets through distributing brochures and leaflets in the community, hanging banners and posters in the center. As part of the digital presence and promotion of the network, a website has been developed. The site https://pinkstarbd.net offers updated information about LARC methods, recent events of Pink Star program and nearby service delivery points for potential clients.

Pink Star providers counsel on family planning, offers IUD, Implant and injectable services and promote (counsel and prescribe) multiple micronutrient supplement (MMS) for pregnant women.

The responses of the program are encouraging. The graduate doctors, in many cases, are proactively discussing with their clients on various family planning methods and informing about the availability of LARC and Injectable services. It may be noted that LARC method users have slightly decreased in the country from 2.7% in 2017 to 2.1% in 2022 (BDHS).

SMC observed that interpersonal communication and detailed counseling play an essential role to help potential clients to decide on LARC methods. It prompted SMC to recruit community-level counselors to create demand for LARC services. As of September 2024, the network has 612 Pink Star providers across the country. In the year 2013, the program distributed 2,887 LARC methods (Relax and i-plant) which have increased to 14,700 in September 2024. Since inception, they have administered over 60,000 IUDs, 34,000 implants and 95,000 injectables from their outlets.

A study in June 2018 measured the attitude, perception, and practice of the Pink Star providers and beneficiary of LARC users. It included 200 IUD and 133 Implant users as respondent. Besides, they interviewed 132 Pink Star providers. Following is a brief overview of the findings:

 • In most cases, providers administer IUDs during cesarean delivery or post abortion care. 

 • SMC appointed counselors play a critical role for creating awareness and motivate users to accept LARC methods. 

 • The major motivating factors of the users for adopting LARC methods include these give protection for longer period and are hassle free. 

 • About 90% IUD users and more than 92% Implant users were satisfied with receiving services from the Pink Star providers.

Following table shows the Pink Star provider coverage by divisions-

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