Dignity and respectful maternity care as an essential step towards universal health coverage

Abstract

Most women experience disrespect and abuse in delivery rooms instead of support, and respect. Disrespect and abuse of women seeking maternity care are becoming an urgent problem and creating a growing community of concern that spans the domains of healthcare research, quality, and education; human rights; and civil rights advocacy. Deprivation of respectful mother care is an important cause of traumatic childbirth experiences as much as inadequate care make mothers feel that they are forced to be in the delivery bed, exposed, and left with no help. Good communication between parturient and care provider is associated with higher patient satisfaction with care and safety. All maternity care personnel should take cognizance of the issue of respectful maternity care and take appropriate corrective measures. By providing respectful maternity care we will take a concrete step ahead toward the attainment of universal health coverage.