Armida Fernandez (Indian Neonatologist) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Neonatologist, Pediatrician
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	06/07/1943
Age	83 years
Birthplace	Dharwad, Karnataka, India

Latest News about Armida Fernandez

25/01/2026

Dr Armida Fernandez was awarded the Padma Shri in the 2026 Republic Day honours for her lifelong work in neonatal and maternal health. Coverage noted that her career included pioneering infant care at Sion Hospital in Mumbai and founding Asia's first human milk bank in 1989.

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Bio/Wiki

Overview	Earned the title Mother of Indian Neonatology. Known for creating Asia's first human milk bank at Sion Hospital in Mumbai, India.

Physical Stats & More

Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Salt & Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

College/University	Karnataka Medical College, Hubli KEM Hospital, Bombay
Degrees	MBBS from Karnataka Medical College, Hubli (1965) MD in Paediatrics from KEM Hospital, Bombay (1971)

Personal Life

Religion	Christianity

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Widow

Family

Husband/Spouse

Rui Fernandez (doctor) (died in 2023)

Children

Daughter-Romila (deceased)

Parents

Father	Armando Menezes (Indian civil servant, writer, academic, poet)
Mother	Matilda Menezes

Siblings

George Menezes (former Indian Air Force officer, diplomat, corporate executive)
Ada

Other Relatives

Uncle	Nicolau Menezes (Indian independence activist, teacher)

Career

Awards, Honours, Achievements	Outstanding Woman of the City Award (1999) Seva Ratnam Award (2000) Women of the Year - Mayor's Award (2001) Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award for Excellence (2002) Ashoka Social Entrepreneur Fellow (2004) Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mumbai Breastfeeding Promotion Committee (2004) Karmayogi Puraskar (2004) Femina's 50 Most Powerful Women in India (2007) Dr. B. N. Purandare Outstanding Service Award (2010) QIMPRO Platinum Award for Healthcare Excellence (2013) Maharashtra National Neonatology Forum Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) Indian Academy of Pediatrics - Neonatology Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award (2025) Padma Shri (2026) Lady of the Order of Pope St. Sylvester (2026)
Notable Contributions	Established the first human milk bank in Asia at Sion Hospital, Mumbai, on 27 November 1989. Promoted breastfeeding, skin-to-skin care, and basic emergency cardiac care.

Awards, Honours, Achievements

Outstanding Woman of the City Award (1999)
Seva Ratnam Award (2000)
Women of the Year - Mayor's Award (2001)
Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award for Excellence (2002)
Ashoka Social Entrepreneur Fellow (2004)
Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mumbai Breastfeeding Promotion Committee (2004)
Karmayogi Puraskar (2004)
Femina's 50 Most Powerful Women in India (2007)
Dr. B. N. Purandare Outstanding Service Award (2010)
QIMPRO Platinum Award for Healthcare Excellence (2013)
Maharashtra National Neonatology Forum Lifetime Achievement Award (2022)
Indian Academy of Pediatrics - Neonatology Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award (2025)
Padma Shri (2026)
Lady of the Order of Pope St. Sylvester (2026)

Notable Contributions

Established the first human milk bank in Asia at Sion Hospital, Mumbai, on 27 November 1989.
Promoted breastfeeding, skin-to-skin care, and basic emergency cardiac care.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Grew up in a large Goan family from São Mathias village, Goa.
2. Won five gold medals and received the President’s Silver Medal during her MBBS studies.
3. Founded SNEHA - Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action in 1999.
4. Initiated Romila Palliative Care through SNEHA in memory of her daughter.
5. Started Connect and Care to support home-bound senior citizens.

Armida Fernandez Neonatologist, Pediatrician Indian Dharwad, Karnataka, India