The Mother and Child Health (MCH) department at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has officially launched the REACH Trial — a pioneering, large-scale, multi-country clinical study designed to enhance maternal healthcare outcomes worldwide. This ambitious initiative is being conducted in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Belagavi, and will span 27 tertiary-level hospitals across seven countries.
The trial was inaugurated on Saturday by Prof. S.N. Sankhwar, Director of the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU, in the presence of Prof. Shivaprasad Goudar, Research Director at JNMC. The launch event saw participation from IMS BHU’s resident doctors, faculty, non-teaching staff, and project team members.
A BHU spokesperson described the initiative as a landmark effort in the realm of maternal health, bringing together leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and global partners. The REACH Trial is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of maternal healthcare research and policy at an international level.
In India, the trial is being led by JNMC’s Women’s and Children’s Health Research Unit, with participation from several major institutions including BHU Varanasi, PGIMER Chandigarh, MGIMS Wardha, SCB Medical College Cuttack, and Ballari Medical College.
The REACH Trial will involve 6,200 women across 27 hospital sites, all of which are part of the World Health Organization’s ‘CHAMPION’ Trial Network. The participating countries include India, Argentina, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
The trial is scheduled to run for a total of 54 months. The timeline includes a 12-month preparation phase, a 30-month enrolment period, followed by a final 12 months dedicated to data analysis, publication of findings, and dissemination of the results.
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