BMC to Spend ₹4.3 Crore on Anti-Infective Cover Mats Unrecognized by Experts

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to spend approximately ₹4.3 crore on anti-infective bed cover mats that infection control specialists reportedly do not recognize. The mats are intended for deployment across four medical college hospitals, with a total of 43,000 units to be purchased.

Supplier Claims and Product Features

The mats are being supplied by Veer Housing Projects LLP, sourced from Pioneer Polyleader Pvt. Ltd., a company based in Uttarakhand. The supplier claims that the mats are antimicrobial, reusable, waterproof, and odorless, capable of reducing E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger by up to 99.99%. According to the supplier, the product retains its effectiveness for up to 10 washes and can be used for one week per mat.

Limited Evidence of Effectiveness

The supplier asserts that the product’s claims are backed by lab reports conducted prior to the tender process, and that the BMC had conducted random sampling, which the mats passed. However, there is no record of clinical trials supporting its use in real hospital settings, nor is it included in WHO or official government clinical guidelines. Experts warn that while lab tests may show promising results, there is limited evidence of effectiveness in actual hospital conditions, raising concerns over the large-scale procurement.

Cost vs. Practicality Concerns

The planned purchase has sparked debate among healthcare professionals, questioning whether spending ₹4.3 crore on a product with unverified real-world efficacy is a judicious use of public funds. Critics argue that rigorous clinical validation is essential before mass deployment in hospitals, where patient safety is paramount.