Employees of a health regulation team seize drugs and surgical instruments at an illegal plastic surgery institution in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, on Tuesday. (Photo: China Daily)

A total of 19,245 cases of unlicensed medical practice were investigated by health administrative authorities across China in 2018, official figures showed.

As a result of the investigations, fines and confiscation of illegal gains out of unauthorized medical practice were ordered and 206 cases with suspected acts of crimes were transferred to judicial authorities, the National Health Commission said.

A total of 28,799 cases involving unauthorized practice by medical staff with medical and healthcare institutions were also investigated last year, the commission added.