Taiwan is intensifying its public health initiatives to combat hepatitis B and enhance early liver cancer detection, building on its early success in surpassing the World Health Organization’s targets for hepatitis C elimination. This next strategic phase was outlined by Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang, who emphasized a comprehensive approach. The plan aims to reduce hepatitis B infections, improve liver cancer screening, and tackle non-viral liver diseases like obesity-related fatty liver disease.
Liver cancer is a significant health challenge in Taiwan, ranking as the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and resulting in over 7,000 fatalities annually. Alarmingly, approximately 40 percent of liver cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, which diminishes treatment efficacy and escalates healthcare expenses. In response, health authorities are crafting a new national cancer control program. This initiative features a liver cancer risk assessment model specifically designed for Taiwan’s population, while also addressing the rising concern of non-viral liver cancer.
To bolster these efforts, the Good Liver Foundation has collaborated with medical and technology experts to create “iGood Liver AI,” an innovative ultrasound tool powered by artificial intelligence. This technology is designed to detect and analyze liver tumors in real time, highlighting suspicious areas and aiding in differentiating between benign and malignant growths during standard examinations. Medical professionals emphasize that this AI tool is intended to support doctors rather than replace them, serving as an auxiliary diagnostic resource to enhance detection accuracy and reduce the likelihood of missed diagnoses.
In a bid to improve healthcare accessibility, the Good Liver Foundation has secured funding to distribute 50 sets of the AI system to medical facilities located in remote and underserved regions. This strategic deployment aims to broaden the reach of liver disease screening and early intervention services across Taiwan, ensuring that more individuals have access to crucial diagnostic resources and interventions.