26 January,2026 01:44 PM IST | Mumbai | Ritika Gondhalekar
Dr Armida Fernandez’s award highlights the vital work of healthcare professionals dedicated to the most vulnerable lives. PIC BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Dr Armida Fernandez, founder and chairperson of Mumbai-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action), has been conferred the Padma Shri 2026 in recognition of her decades-long dedication to newborn health, maternal care, and uplifting marginalised communities.
An eminent neonatologist, Dr Fernandez served as professor and head of neonatology, and later as the dean at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital (Sion hospital) in Mumbai. Throughout her distinguished career, she played a pivotal role in saving countless newborn lives and strengthening systems to reduce neonatal mortality across the region.
Among her landmark contributions was the establishment of Asia's first Human Milk Bank at Sion hospital in 1989. This pioneering initiative provided life-saving donor milk to infants whose mothers could not breastfeed, dramatically improving survival for premature and low-birth-weight babies. The model she created went on to inspire similar milk banks across India, marking a milestone in neonatal care.
After retiring from government service, Dr Fernandez founded SNEHA, which has for over 25 years adopted a community-centred approach to address critical challenges such as child malnutrition, maternal and neonatal mortality, adolescent anaemia, gender-based violence, and palliative care. The NGO has directly impacted over four lakh women, children, and families, ensuring dignity, support, and access to essential services for those living in vulnerable urban communities.
SNEHA's work continues to serve as a beacon for health, nutrition, child protection, and gender equity, helping families build healthier, safer, and more dignified lives.
The Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, recognises outstanding contributions across fields, and Dr Fernandez's award highlights the vital, often unseen work of healthcare professionals dedicated to the nation's youngest and most vulnerable lives.
