Dr Armida Fernandez, Pioneer of Asia's First Human Milk Bank, Honoured with Padma Shri
Renowned neonatologist Dr Armida Fernandez, who founded Asia's inaugural human milk bank, has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award. The 83-year-old medical pioneer, originally hailing from Karnataka, is recognized among the 15 awardees from Maharashtra in the latest Padma honours announced by the Government of India.
The Legacy of a Neonatology Visionary
Dr Fernandez established Asia's first human milk bank in 1989 at Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and Medical College, commonly known as Sion Hospital. This groundbreaking initiative significantly contributed to reducing infant mortality rates across the region. Often referred to as the 'mother of Indian neonatology', her career has been marked by transformative contributions to paediatric care and nutrition.
Beyond the milk bank, Dr Fernandez's pioneering work includes:
- Introducing one of India's earliest doctoral programmes in neonatology
- Serving as dean of LTMG Hospital (Sion Hospital) for three years before retiring in 2001
- Establishing innovative low-cost solutions like using overhead lamps to provide warmth to newborns
- Championing the revolutionary practice of allowing mothers into neonatal units to participate in their babies' care
Founding SNEHA: Expanding Healthcare Beyond Hospital Walls
In 1999, Dr Fernandez took healthcare initiatives beyond traditional hospital settings by co-founding the Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA). This urban health NGO represented a significant departure from the predominantly rural-focused public health discourse of that era.
Dr Shanti Pantvaidya, former head of the department of anaesthesiology at Sion Hospital, recalls Dr Fernandez's unique leadership approach: "When she became dean, she summoned all of the heads of the departments to build a vision for the medical college and hospital. That was entirely unique and exciting, because no one had ever done that before."
SNEHA initially focused on maternal and newborn health along with violence prevention against women and children. The organization gradually expanded to include childcare, nutrition, and adolescent health programs. Today, SNEHA employs over 500 professionals and operates extensively across Mumbai's slum communities.
Overcoming Resistance and Building Institutions
Dr Jayshree Mondkar, former dean of Sion Hospital and a close associate of Dr Fernandez, highlights the initial challenges: "Despite resistance to the concept of feeding infants with donated human milk — an unfamiliar and largely unaccepted practice at the time — Dr Fernandez persisted." The milk bank operated for five years with private donor support before being taken over by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Dr Mondkar further notes Dr Fernandez's progressive approach: "She allowed the entry of mothers in the neonatal unit to participate in the care of their babies, at a time when most doctors frowned on it with the fear it would increase the risk of infection. This was proved false, and it is well established now that it is protective for the babies."
Completing the Circle: Palliative Care Initiative
In 2017, Dr Fernandez established one of Mumbai's few free palliative care facilities in memory of her daughter Romila, who had passed away from cancer several years earlier. This volunteer-run facility provides comprehensive emotional and medical support to patients with life-limiting illnesses, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to compassionate healthcare.
Dr Pantvaidya reflects on Dr Fernandez's deserving recognition: "It is an extremely enjoyable process to work with someone who has genuine concern, a vision and the perseverance to see a solution through. Dr Fernandez is extremely deserving of the Padma Shri, and the award is a heartening moment that perhaps there is scope for goodness after all."
Through her groundbreaking milk bank, innovative healthcare approaches, and establishment of sustainable institutions like SNEHA, Dr Armida Fernandez has left an indelible mark on India's medical landscape, making her Padma Shri recognition a fitting tribute to her decades of service.
