Transcript sf4health.org

Helping you live better
Introduction

Blue Star is a network of private
sector providers managed by Social
Marketing Company (SMC)
Bangladesh since 1998

Blue Star was set up to actively
engage the private sector in the
delivery of Family Planning and other
health services of public health
priorities since a vast majority of the
population depend on them for their
health needs specially for most
vulnerable people : children and
women.
Strategy

Expansion of Network:
1.
Recruitment (BS provider selection as
per set criteria, review and final
selection for Blue Star Network)
2.
Over 6000 Blue Star providers in the
network
3.
Training ( Blue Star Basic and Refresher
training, TB DOTS Training, Diabetes
and Hypertension Training, Training on
mobile health services)

Expansion of Services:
1.
Contraceptive SOMA-JECT (DMPA
injectable : Suspected TB case referral,
DOTS; MNCH and LAPM referral;
Screening, counseling, prevention and
primary management of Diabetes and
Hypertension)
Contd……

Expansion of Partnership :
1.
Government :
Collaborative partnership with
Clinical Contraceptive Service
Delivery Program under
Directorate General of Family
Planning, Ministry of Health,
People’s Republic of
Bangladesh
1.
Development Partners (DPs):
Partnership with Pathfinder
(Smiling Sun Clinics), IFRCC,
Swiss Contact, DNet (MAMA)

Product Positioning:
1.
Promotional activity through
Local and Mass media
2.
Ensuring product availability
through sales officers across
the country
Contd……

Expansion of quality
assurance activity:
1.
Supportive supervision
through decentralized
program officers for better
catering of providers’ local
need for effective service
delivery
2.
Regular monthly basis
reporting to Head Office and
timely feedback to the
providers to streamline the
ongoing efforts
3.
Alignment with current
practice, policies and skills
of providers through
utilization of regional w/shop
Blue Star Network and its impact

Widely accessible: over 6000
providers in the network

Only provider offering Injectable
contraceptive in the private
sector

Represents approx. 25% of all
contraceptive Injectable used in
the country

Low turnover of providers ( 3%
per year)

Government and SMC jointly
conducts Training and
Monitoring
Potential for Future

Can play a significant role in
expanding the use of Long Acting
FP methods (IUD, Implant)

Able to effectively contribute in
Child mortality and morbidity
through introduction of IMCI

Can be used as a referral network
for other tertiary level services for
communicable diseases - HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and NTDs (filariasis,
leprosy)

Service expansion into other
emerging public health issues:
dengue, swine flue, nipa virus,
anthrax

Improved sustainability through
introduction of higher margin
products and services