Following its success in achieving the World Health Organization’s targets for hepatitis C elimination ahead of schedule, Taiwan is now intensifying its initiatives to combat hepatitis B and enhance early liver cancer detection. The nation’s Health and Welfare Minister, Shih Chung-liang, announced that the next focus of Taiwan’s public health efforts will be on reducing hepatitis B infections, improving screenings for liver cancer, and addressing liver diseases not caused by viruses, such as those linked to obesity.
Liver cancer remains a significant health issue in Taiwan, ranking as the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and taking more than 7,000 lives each year. Alarmingly, health officials note that about 40 percent of liver cancer diagnoses occur at advanced stages, which diminishes the effectiveness of treatments and raises healthcare expenses. To tackle this, Taiwan’s health authorities are crafting a new national cancer control program that will incorporate a liver cancer risk assessment model specifically designed for the Taiwanese population. This program will also address the growing concern of non-viral liver cancer.
In support of these initiatives, the Good Liver Foundation is collaborating with experts from the medical and technology sectors to create “iGood Liver AI.” This innovative artificial intelligence-powered ultrasound tool is engineered to detect and analyze liver tumors in real-time. It can highlight areas of concern and assist in differentiating between benign and malignant growths during standard examinations, serving as a supplementary diagnostic aid to enhance detection rates and minimize the chance of missed diagnoses.
Medical professionals emphasize that this technology is intended to complement, not replace, the expertise of doctors. The Good Liver Foundation has also managed to secure funding to distribute 50 sets of the AI system to healthcare facilities located in remote and underserved regions. This effort aims to broaden access to liver disease screenings and early intervention services across the island, thereby improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes for more people.