New Delhi: Delhi’s government hospitals will soon adopt a colour-coded bedsheet system as part of a broader effort to improve hygiene standards, infection control practices and patient confidence, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar said on Wednesday. The initiative, he noted, reflects the Health Department’s push to align public healthcare facilities with strengthened national guidelines.
According to an official statement, the decision follows Central protocols aimed at enhancing cleanliness and infection-prevention measures in hospitals. Under the new system, each day of the week will be assigned a specific bedsheet colour: white on Monday, pink on Tuesday, green on Wednesday, purple on Thursday, blue on Friday, light grey on Saturday and peach on Sunday. Officials said this will ensure that linen changes are visibly implemented and consistently monitored.
“This system is designed not only to streamline linen management but also to provide a visual assurance of cleanliness to patients and their families. Each colour lot will be supplied with adequate stock for regular replacement,” the statement said. Health department officials added that hospitals have been asked to improve efficiency in collecting, managing and distributing bedsheets, while also ensuring that new linen is procured in uniform quality.
As part of the revised hygiene protocols, hospitals are required to document linen handling procedures, maintain designated storage spaces, and ensure timely delivery and disposal cycles. Officials emphasised that bedsheets must be changed routinely and managed in line with prescribed standards to minimise risks of contamination.
Commenting on the development, Kumar described the step as an innovative yet straightforward method to instil a culture of trust and transparency in healthcare settings. “This seven-colour bedsheet system is a simple but important initiative that supports patient comfort, strengthens infection-control measures and boosts staff morale,” he said. The minister also highlighted its potential to reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs), which remain a persistent challenge in healthcare institutions.
The initiative is grounded in guidelines outlined in the Kayakalp implementation handbook issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The manual, first published in 2015 and periodically updated, underscores the critical role of proper linen management in preventing healthcare-associated infections. It mandates strict protocols for handling soiled linen, including use of separate collection routes, hot-water washing with detergent and secure transport to prevent cross-contamination.
Health officials said the colour-coding system will make it easier for hospital staff to adhere to these requirements by offering a transparent method to monitor linen cycles. Easy-to-recognise colours, they added, help staff quickly identify whether bedsheets have been replaced according to schedule and maintain more disciplined hygiene routines throughout wards.
The Health Department expects the system to improve operational efficiency as well. With clear colour assignments for each day, staff members can organise laundry loads more effectively, prevent mix-ups, and maintain a consistent linen rotation. The approach also helps supervisors ensure compliance at a glance, strengthening accountability across housekeeping and clinical teams.
Officials noted that beyond infection control, the initiative contributes to patient psychology. Clean and colour-coordinated bedsheets convey a sense of orderliness and care, which can positively influence the healing environment. Patients and families, they said, often gauge hospital hygiene through visible cues, making this approach both functional and reassuring.
Delhi’s hospitals will begin implementing the system in phases, and monitoring mechanisms will be established to ensure uniform adoption across facilities. Authorities said they expect the initiative to enhance overall cleanliness and support the broader objective of raising standards in public healthcare.
