Around 22,000 Blue Star, Green Star and Gold Star providers along with SMC field teams and non-network service providers are providing antenatal care services to pregnant mothers across 161 upazilas under Social Marketing Company’s nationwide two-day “Pregnancy Nutrition Campaign 2026”.
The campaign was inaugurated on Sunday at Madhabpasha Union under Babuganj Upazila of Barishal.
An awareness discussion was held with pregnant mothers at Shikdar Bari in Madhabpasha Union. SMC and SMC Enterprise Limited (SMC EL) Chairman Faruque Ahmed formally inaugurated the campaign, said a press release on Monday.
During the programme, guests interacted with pregnant mothers and distributed FullCare, SMC’s multiple micronutrient supplement containing 15 essential vitamins and minerals. Awareness activities on antenatal care, proper nutrition during pregnancy and the importance of regular healthcare are being conducted through SMC’s Community Mobilisation Programme across 161 upazilas.
SMC and SMC EL Chairman Faruque Ahmed said, “A healthy generation begins with a healthy mother. Therefore, investment in maternal and child nutrition not only ensures the well-being of mothers but also plays an important role in building a healthy and capable generation. Through our collective efforts, we want every pregnant mother to have access to the necessary care and proper nutrition.”
SMC and SMC EL Director Jahir Uddin Ahmed said, “We must ensure quality nutrition for pregnant mothers and make it easily accessible and affordable, alongside creating awareness to address maternal nutritional deficiencies.”
SMC Managing Director and CEO Toslim Uddin Khan said: “Around 4,000 mothers die every year in Bangladesh while giving birth, many of which are preventable. In recent years, the rate of receiving four antenatal care (ANC) services during pregnancy has declined from 47 per cent to 41 per cent. We can significantly reduce maternal mortality in Bangladesh by ensuring proper nutrition during pregnancy through ANC services.”
SMC Enterprise Limited Managing Director Sayef Nasir said, “With the support of our strong distribution network and relevant stakeholders, we are working to make this nutritional product available through pharmacies and service centres across different parts of the country.”
SMC Directors Siddiqur Rahman Choudhury and Jahir Uddin Ahmed, SMC Managing Director and CEO Toslim Uddin Khan and SMC Enterprise Limited Managing Director Sayef Nasir were present at the programme. Senior officials from SMC’s head office and regional offices along with field-level officials also attended the event.
For more than 50 years, SMC has been working to improve the health and nutrition of the people of Bangladesh. Through this initiative, SMC aims to promote proper nutrition during pregnancy, ensure timely antenatal care, increase awareness among healthcare professionals and strengthen community-level efforts to improve the health and nutrition of mothers and children across Bangladesh.
