Taiwan is intensifying its health initiatives aimed at eradicating hepatitis B and enhancing early liver cancer detection, following its early accomplishment of the World Health Organization’s targets for hepatitis C elimination. The new focus of Taiwan’s health strategy includes reducing hepatitis B infections and improving liver cancer screening, while also tackling non-viral liver diseases such as obesity-related fatty liver disease, according to Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang.
Liver cancer is a significant health challenge in Taiwan, ranking as the second-leading cause of cancer-related fatalities, with over 7,000 deaths annually. Health officials indicate that approximately 40 percent of liver cancer cases are identified at advanced stages, which complicates treatment and escalates healthcare costs. To combat this, Taiwan’s health authorities are crafting a national cancer control program that incorporates a liver cancer risk assessment model tailored specifically for the Taiwanese population, aimed at bolstering early detection rates.
The initiative also addresses the growing concern over non-viral liver cancer. To support these efforts, the Good Liver Foundation is collaborating with medical and tech experts to develop “iGood Liver AI,” an AI-powered ultrasound tool. This innovative software is designed to spot and analyze liver tumors in real time, highlighting suspicious areas and aiding in the differentiation between benign and malignant growths during standard medical examinations.
While the AI technology is intended to serve as a supplementary diagnostic tool rather than a replacement for doctors, it is expected to enhance detection rates and minimize the chances of missed diagnoses. This approach underscores the balance between technological advancement and medical expertise, ensuring that the tool assists healthcare professionals effectively.
Further expanding healthcare access, the Good Liver Foundation has secured funding to distribute 50 sets of the AI system to medical facilities in remote and underserved regions of Taiwan. This move aims to broaden the reach of liver disease screening and early intervention services, ensuring that comprehensive healthcare is accessible across the nation.