China Central Television has launched this year's national search for the "most prominent doctors in rural China".

An annual event since 2012, the activity aims to find and honor doctors working in rural parts of China where road and living conditions are tough, and which have seriously lacking medical facilities.

Starting from Wednesday, reporters from CCTV and some other media will travel to rural parts of China in the search.

During its first selection last year, 10 doctors from rural China received the award. With their stories, contributions and difficulties made known through the media, many have received funds from donors from all walks of life, which helps them to better the local people's medical conditions.

By 2012, there were 653,000 clinics in rural China, accounting for 40 percent of medical services in the country.