ABSTRACT
Background: Many women in developing countries experience disrespect and abuse during labour and delivery. Respectful maternity care (RMC) is considered as one of the basic reproductive health rights of the women. It is one of the essential components of LaQshya programme of Government of India. The aim of the study was to highlight the important components of the RMC, its implementation and its impact on patient turnover in the maternity unit of Pravara Rural Hospital Loni and review the literature on the subject.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted for a period of one year from January 2019 to December 2019 at tertiary care hospital. The implementation of RMC was observed and important findings were documented. The patient turnover and cliental satisfaction was noted.Results: It was observed that all components of RMC were strictly followed in maternity unit of Pravara Rural Hospital Loni. The staff and doctors were trained and oriented towards importance of RMC. The patient turnover has increased exponentially year by year. The patient feedback system about the quality of care in labour and delivery ward shows overall satisfaction score of 4.3 on the 5-point Likert scale. There was a surveillance system that supervises and closely monitor the quality of care in labour room in general and RMC in particular.Conclusions: RMC is one of the important components of LaQshya certification process. Respectful maternity care is implemented at Pravara Rural hospital in its true spirit. It has resulted in gaining the faith and trust of the community, which is reflected through exponential rise in the number of deliveries taking place in the hospital.