Padma Shri 2026: Dr Armida Fernandez Honoured for Pioneering Neonatal Care in India

Neonatal Care Pioneer Dr Armida Fernandez Selected for Padma Shri 2026

Renowned neonatologist Dr Armida Fernandez , who played a transformative role in improving newborn survival in India, has been selected for the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of medicine. The award, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the eve of Republic Day, recognises her lifelong contribution to neonatology, breastfeeding advocacy, and equitable maternal–child healthcare. Although she has spent most of her professional life in Mumbai, the honour has been warmly celebrated in Goa , where her family roots lie.

Establishing Asia’s First Human Milk Bank

In a landmark achievement, Dr Fernandez established Asia’s first human milk bank in 1989 at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital (Sion Hospital), Mumbai. At a time when donor human milk was rarely recognised as a clinical necessity, her initiative provided a critical lifeline to premature and critically ill newborns whose mothers were unable to breastfeed. Today, the milk bank supports the nutritional needs of nearly 3,000 to 5,000 infants every year , significantly improving neonatal survival rates in public hospitals.

Academic Excellence and Institutional Leadership

Dr Fernandez completed her MBBS in Hubballi and pursued postgraduate studies at KEM Hospital, Mumbai . Over the years, she emerged as a leading academician, serving as Head of the Department of Neonatology and later as Dean at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College. Her leadership helped integrate scientific neonatal care practices into public health systems, particularly in resource-constrained urban settings.

Advocacy for Breastfeeding and Community Health

Beyond hospital walls, Dr Fernandez has been a tireless advocate for breastfeeding and maternal nutrition. In 1999, she co-founded SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action) , an NGO dedicated to improving maternal and child health among underserved communities in Maharashtra. She was also closely associated with UNICEF’s Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative , promoting evidence-based practices that prioritise mother–infant bonding.

One of her most impactful interventions was enabling mothers to enter neonatal intensive care units and actively participate in caring for their babies—an approach that led to measurable reductions in neonatal mortality and set new standards for humane newborn care.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award

• Asia’s first human milk bank was established in Mumbai in 1989

• Human milk banks provide donor milk for premature and critically ill infants

• Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative is led by UNICEF and WHO

A Legacy of Compassionate Medicine

Medical peers describe Dr Armida Fernandez as a visionary who bridged advanced medical science with community-focused public health action. Her work demonstrated how low-cost, evidence-based interventions can save lives at scale. The Padma Shri 2026 stands as national recognition of her enduring contribution to neonatology, maternal health, and inclusive healthcare delivery in India.