PANAJI
Mumbai-based senior neonatologist Dr Armida Fernandez, of Goan origin has been awarded the Padma Shri in recognition of her work to better maternal, infant and child health, particularly in urban poor areas.
Dr Fernandez was a Professor and Head of the Department of Neonatology and also retired as Dean of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General (LTMG) in Sion, Mumbai.
She was born in Hubli, Dharwad and pursued her MBBS degree there. She earned her MD from the famed KEM hospital in Mumbai. She traces her roots to Divar island.
Setting up India's and Asia's first Human Milk Bank at the Sion hospital is one of her many achievements in her illustrious medical professional career.
She is also credited with preparing a 'Breastfeeding Manual' with support from UNICEF. She also founded in 1999 the Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA), the Mumbai-based organisation which works in slums and poor regions of the country in child health, nutrition, women’s empowerment, adolescent health, and prevention of violence against women and children.
She also founded the Romila Palliative Care Centre at Bandra for patients with life-limiting illnesses after her daughter Romila lost her battle with cancer.
