BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese authorities had banned themedical practice of 54,221 doctors without legal licenses in 2004,the Ministry of Health announced Tuesday.

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

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

    Medical service has improved after the action, but there are still problems, it said.

    Exaggerated advertisements on medicine and therapies are widespread and there are still illegal doctors doing business at urban suburb and rural areas, while hospitals still hire unqualified medical workers, it said.

    The State Council will make illegal doctoring one of the top priorities in its campaign to keep market order this year, for which health authorities will work with other departments, including the police, administrations for industry and commerce, drug administrations and discipline inspection organs, it said. Enditem