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.