About SMC and SMC Enterprise Ltd
In 1974, SMC started social marketing program in Bangladesh. Overall mission of SMC is to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and families through social marketing of products and services in family planning, maternal and child health, adolescent health & hygiene, tuberculosis, nutrition and other socially beneficial areas in partnership with the government, development partners and private sector. SMC and USAID have continued their partnership over the last 49 years and SMC is considered as one of the successful investments of USAID.
According to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-2018, SMC has remarkably contributed to increase Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) at the national level by sharing 47% of pills 62% of condoms and 33% of injectables. In total, SMC contributed 38% of the modern contraceptive method use nationally. As per the 2022 Contraceptive Social Marketing Statistics released by DKT International, USA, SMC was ranked as the third-largest social marketing organization globally in terms of numbers of CYPs delivered.
SMC is a major contributor to the Bangladesh national health and family planning program. It markets a full range of family planning products, Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), Micronutrient Powder (MNP), Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), deworming tablet, zinc, food & beverage, health & hygiene and other public health products. SMC operates the biggest ORS manufacturing facility in the country having a market share of around 61% (Nielsen, 2019). SMC's Joya sanitary napkin is the second most popular brand in the country which is produced in its own manufacturing plant. The most popular low-dose oral contraceptive pill (OCP) ‘Femicon' topped the list in the OCP category and condom brand ‘Panther’ in the condom category with its highest number of users in the country. SMC's MNP ‘MoniMix' is contributing to reduce iron deficiency anemia among the children under-5 years. Its MMS ‘FullCare' is contributing to improve the nutrition status of the pregnant women and fetus to reduce low birth weight babies in the country.
The Company has its own extensive sales and distribution network and field-level program operations across the country. The Company also has strengthened product supply mechanism through local distributors. To maintain the positive growth with a competitive advantage, the Company has increased its presence in the digital marketplace for brand promotion. The company invested significantly in the manufacturing and infrastructural development in line with the growth trajectory.
Manufacturing
■ Largest ORS manufacturing facility at Bhaluka
■ Food Manufacturing Division at Bhaluka
■ Health & Hygiene factory in Cumilla
■ Electrolyte Drink Manufacturing Plant at Bhabanipur, Gazipur (in progress)
Warehouses
■ Central Warehouse at Bhaluka
■ Regional Warehouse in Bogura
■ Regional Warehouse in Cumilla
SMC implements its program with extensive national coverage through its five Star networks engaging different level of providers in the private sector. Blue Star Program - a network of 11,000 private sector non-graduate providers; the Green Star Program - a network of more than 4,900 drug sellers and the Pink Star Program - a network of 550 graduate providers, mostly Obstetricians and Gynecologists. SMC improves the skills of these private providers through basic and periodic refresher trainings. The most recent network of SMC is Rose Star - a network of 217 Pediatricians to counsel on nutrition and growth monitoring for the children under five years. The Gold Star Network is a vibrant platform of more than 3,400 women entrepreneurs at the community level.
SMC is implementing community mobilization program in 112 Upazilas to improve healthy behaviors of community people. Along with rural areas, SMC initiated to implement Gold Star model in the urban settings to meet the demand of the low-income urban population. Currently, SMC is implementing Gold Star Network program in 9 peri-urban areas under Dhaka, Barishal, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Mymensingh City Corporation. These networks are branded by SMC to promote and offer quality public health products and services across the country.
The adolescent health program is one of the flagship programs of SMC to raise awareness of Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH) knowledge and skills for adoption of healthy behaviors among themselves, their families, and peers. Recently, SMC initiated to offer basic pregnancy care services by the Star Network providers. In addition, SMC recruited paramedics in 112 Upazilas to organize pregnant mothers gathering for offering 5 basic pregnancy care services including weight measurement, blood pressure measurement, urine test for albumin, blood test for sugar and counselling on danger signs including MMS and Calcium tablet. Each year SMC is expanding its community mobilization activities in new 8 Upazilas and peri-urban areas for larger impact according to its 5 years strategic plan.
In 2014, SMC formed SMC EL, a for-profit subsidiary to separate profitable activities from nonprofit to effectively manage a growing and complex operation. The Pharmaceutical Division of SMC EL started its journey in 2017 with the key objective of “no one should suffer, especially the less-privileged ones due to lack of affordable quality medicine.” Currently, the Pharma Division sells 40 products in the market.
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SMC established two Clinics in order to provide quality health care and diagnostic services at an affordable price. The Clinics are located at Dhaka Uddan, Mohammadpur (Niltara Clinic) and Darussalam, Mirpur (SMC Clinic). SMC is implementing Clinic operation to create a sustainable model keeping provision of consultation, diagnostic and model pharmacy at affordable prices to all segment of population.
In its long journey from a project to a thriving social enterprise, SMC is now considered as one of the largest private sector partners of the Government of Bangladesh and USAID. SMC continues its onward successful journey by maintaining its role as a major contributor to the Bangladesh national health and family planning program and a significant contributor to the reproductive health, maternal health, adolescent health & hygiene, child health, tuberculosis and nutritional services across the country.
SMC is relentlessly engaging its endeavors and increasing its basket of quality public health products and services, promoting behavior change, raising awareness and creating sustainable social impact for the wellbeing of women, children and families.
