Blue will soon be the colour of Hong Kong doctors, at least at work. They are to be given a newly designed uniform which authorities hope will help protect them from infections.
The unisex, light-blue uniforms, including a shirt and a pair of trousers, were first used at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in March before being gradually introduced to other public hospitals.
They feature a shirt with buttons on the shoulder and three pockets. On the left front is the word 'doctor' in English and Chinese.
The uniform was designed by the Public Doctors' Association which asked the Hospital Authority to provide doctors with new outfits.
But association president Wong Tak-cheung admitted that some doctors disliked the uniform.
'We have consulted all hospitals and their staff before introducing it. It is difficult to please everybody. Some people don't like the colour and some others the design,' he said.
One frontline doctor who was unhappy with the uniform said: 'I am sure patients would think I am a nurse if not for the word 'doctor' on the front. Actually, it looks like those worn by hotel bellboys. We need a better design to show our professional image.'