ABSTRACT
Background: Indoor client satisfaction is a landmark parameter to assess the functioning of the First Referral Unit, being established by the Govt. of India, under Child Survival and Safe Motherhood (CSSM) programme in year 1992. At present, under the flagship of National health mission (NHM), CSSM is expected to reduce the burden of high maternal mortality in India and scope of further reduction from current levels to ensure a safe motherhood and subsequently childhood to achieve the goal of “Health for All”. Regarding this context, some of the Primary and majority of Community Health Centers were upgraded to First Referral Units (FRUs) which were specifically equipped to handle emergency obstetric cases. Intensified efforts are being continued to strengthen these FRUs under national health mission program extensively by addressing the needs of the patient’s especially indoor patients attending FRUs. Methods: Patients/clients availing indoor services; sample of 60 clients was chosen for questionnaire. Questions were asked to them to assess level of satisfaction regarding availing various indoor services and their responses were graded as poor-1, fair-2 and good-3. Results: Assessment of the functioning of the FRUs have indicated that overall satisfaction level among indoor clients is approximately 50%, which can be improved further by improving delivery of services. Conclusions: We conclude that in order to run FRU smoothly, priority should be given to health care needs of the clients.