BMC spends ₹4.27 crore on untested anti-infective bed mats for city hospitals

BMC is spending ₹4.27 crore on the procurement of 43,000 “anti-infective bed cover mats” for four medical college hospitals, even as several infection control specialists say they are unfamiliar with the product and its claimed benefits lack validation in real-world hospital settings, a TOI report stated.

The mats are being supplied by real estate firm Veer Housing Projects LLP, sourced from Uttarakhand-based Pioneer Polyleather Pvt Ltd, which says it is the authorised supplier in the state and has earlier provided the product to primary health centres. According to the supplier, the mats are antimicrobial, waterproof, re-washable and odour-free, and can reduce bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and fungus Aspergillus niger, by 99.99%. The claimed effect lasts up to 10 washes, with each mat usable for about a week.

The claims are based on laboratory reports conducted before the tender process. However, there is no clinical trial data supporting the product’s effectiveness in hospital conditions, and it is not included in WHO or government infection control guidelines. The supplier said BMC conducted random sampling once and the product cleared testing, adding that due process was followed.


Doctors and microbiologists pointed to gaps between laboratory performance and hospital outcomes. Past systematic reviews published in PubMed have found limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of such products in real-world hospital environments. A microbiology department from one of the four medical colleges said specifications initially sought were later changed during the tender process to align with state government guidelines, limiting the scope for objections.

A former doctor from KEM Hospital said similar mats have been used mainly for their waterproof properties, not for infection control. A randomised trial on launderable bed protection systems showed benefits in infection prevention when barriers were washed and treated, but found no intrinsic anti-infective properties in the barriers themselves.

Former administrators and microbiologists told TOI that earlier proposals to procure similar products were shelved due to high costs and lack of validation. Some doctors in private hospitals said they had never encountered such mats. Infectious disease specialist Dr Mandar Kubal said the product resembled household waterproof covers with antibacterial claims that are not backed by strong clinical studies. Other specialists echoed concerns about the absence of usage experience or published evidence.

Under the current procurement, KEM Hospital will receive 200 mats for one year, Sion Hospital 19,000, Cooper Hospital 7,500 and Nair Hospital 16,900. BMC’s deputy municipal commissioner (health) Sharad Ughade was unavailable for comment.

(With inputs from TOI)