Authorities banned 54,221 doctors without legal licenses from medical practice in 2004, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday.

Over an eight-month period last year, the ministry uncovered 77,033 cases of illegal medical practice, including the involvement of 18,959 hospitals hiring unqualified medical workers, the ministry said.

The authorities revoked the licenses of 3,477 medical service agencies and confiscated 25.26 million yuan (US$3.05 million) in illegal income, it said.

Although medical services will have improved after the actions, the health ministry conceded that there are still problems.

Misleading advertisements for medicines and therapies are widespread and there are still illegal doctors doing business in all areas. Hospitals also still hire unqualified medical staff.

According to the ministry, the State Council will make illegal doctoring one of the top priorities of a campaign this year in which health authorities will work with the police, industry and commerce administrations, drug administrations, discipline inspection organs and others.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2005)