Judging excellence in maternal healthcare requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond standard metrics such as delivery volumes and success rates. When the jury members for the Times Future of Maternity Awards 2026 convened for the final evaluation across 13 categories, their focus extended beyond mere numbers. For instance, they scrutinized the quality of care received by nominees, questioning whether an IVF couple was counselled together and if women in preterm labor were treated with dignity. They emphasized the significance of immediate post-delivery practices like initiating breastfeeding, regardless of a hospital’s zero maternal death record.
The four-member jury, each bringing distinct clinical perspectives to the evaluation process, followed a two-step method for selecting awardees. First, they identified the top two contenders in each category from a range of nominations. Subsequently, extensive discussions led to a final decision via a secret ballot. Jurors recused themselves from deliberations and voting whenever there was a conflict of interest.
Prof. (Dr.) Dinesh Kumar Yadav, who heads Paediatrics at ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital, highlighted that maternity care is a long-term investment. “It is not just about the safety of the birth process; rather, it is about the eventual outcome — having a healthy child who can grow to be a valuable resource,” he noted. With approximately 25 million births annually in India, he stressed the importance of evaluating foundational health areas such as adolescent health, nutrition, and immunization, all of which are vital before pregnancy.
Dr. Madhu Goel, Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Fortis La Femme, utilized a comprehensive checklist covering NICU, blood bank status, infection protocols, and emergency response teams for hospitals. However, she emphasized that care cannot be quantified solely through checklists. “When an individual patient comes to you, they want everything to be perfect,” she stated. Dr. Goel illustrated her point with an example of a preterm baby who ultimately fared well, but the mother did not perceive the hospital’s intervention as a victory, underscoring the importance of communication. “The single most important thing is communication,” she said.
Prof. (Dr.) Manju Puri, a Senior Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at SGT University, explained her evaluative approach, distinguishing between mere counting and meaningful measurement. She described how outcome indicators, like whether a woman arrives at childbirth without anemia, carry more weight than superficial statistics. “It is not the numbers. Numbers are prevalent in the public sector, but we focus on outcome indicators,” she elaborated. Dr. Puri assessed nominees based on maternal mortality rates, complication rates, and respectful care practices, emphasizing that cost-effective quality improvement involves identifying and addressing basic issues rather than undergoing extensive upgrades.
In the realm of fertility and reproductive care, Prof. (Dr.) Surveen Ghumman Sindhu, Senior Director at MAX Group of Hospitals, evaluated the extent to which centers provided care beyond just clinical outcomes. “It is not just the woman who is grieving; the man is equally affected. How many of us actually consider the husband’s emotional state?” she asked. Dr. Sindhu further pointed out the impact of language when conveying outcomes to patients, noting that the term “failed” could carry significant emotional weight. Effective fertility care, she argued, starts months before treatment with preconception counselling and extends to sensitive communication following negative results.
The winners of the Times Future of Maternity Awards 2026 included those who exemplified a standard encompassing not only infrastructure but also the quality of care and communication experienced by patients. Below is the list of winners across Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories:
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Comprehensive Maternity Hospital of the Year (Regional)
- Sagar Chandramma Hospitals – Silver
- Cocoon Hospital – Bronze
- Kamalnayan Bajaj Hospital – Bronze
- Bhagirathi Neotia Woman & Child Care Centre, Kolkata – Bronze
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Nutritionist of the Year
- Saloni Arora, Nutritionist and Founder, Femly – Gold
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Fertility & Reproductive Medicine Centre of the Year
- Ajanta Hospital and IVF Centre, Lucknow – Gold
- Sagar Chandramma Hospitals and Fertility Centre – Gold
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High-Risk Pregnancy & Maternal Critical Care Centre of the Year
- ASTER MEDCITY, Kochi – Silver
- MSD For Mothers – Bronze
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Baby Care Brand of the Year
- R for Rabbit – Gold
- Himalaya Wellness Company – Gold
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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Year
- Neotia Bhagirathi Woman and Child Care Centre, Newtown, Kolkata – Silver
- Sagar Chandramma Hospitals and Fertility Centre – Silver
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Best Mother & Child Hospital in India for Comprehensive Care
- Ankura Hospitals – Gold
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Maternal Health Policy, Advocacy & Systems Impact Award
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Fetal Medicine Specialist of the Year
- Dr. Vandana Bansal, Surya Hospital – Gold
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Center of Excellence for Women’s Health
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Fertility Specialist of the Year
- Dr. Jayesh Amin – Bronze
- Dr. Gita Khanna, Ajanta Hospital and IVF Centre, Lucknow – Bronze
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Transformational Leader in Maternity Healthcare
- Dr. V. Harshini, Raaya Hospital – Silver
- Dr. Sonal Jain Jayaswal – Bronze
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Innovation in Baby Gear & Infant Safety
- Growgether (Rimashi Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd.) – Gold
