The World Health Organisation (WHO) has chosen the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) and Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar, as trial sites for conducting the "WHO ACTION III Trial." The governmental sources added that this was the third PG institution selected for the trial in the country.

ACTION is an acronym for "Antenatal Corticosteroids for Improving Outcomes in Preterm Newborns." The WHO is conducting a multi-country, multi-center, and randomized trial to evaluate the enhancement in the health of preterm babies after administering two doses of prenatal corticosteroids to women with a high likelihood of giving birth in the late preterm period. 

The goal of this experiment is to evaluate the benefits and potential risks of delivering two regimens of prenatal corticosteroids to pregnant women between 34 and 37 weeks who are at risk of preterm delivery.

As per the previous studies, infant mortality and morbidity after preterm delivery can be reduced by delivering treatment to the mother before or during pregnancy and the preterm infant after birth. According to the World Health Organisation, preterm newborns are at risk of serious illness or death during the neonatal era. Those who survive without adequate care are at higher risk of permanent impairment and low quality of life.

The researchers will also determine which steroids are appropriate for saving the lives of premature newborns. The governmental sources also noted that the researcher will also strive to learn about the optimal dosages to ensure the safety of both the mother and the child. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/education/pgimer-bhubaneswar-chosen-as-who-trial-centre/100063866 )