East Taiwan hospital launches medical vehicles for liver screenings

東台灣醫院啟用肝病篩檢醫療車

Hospital initiative aims to detect liver diseases early in community


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Mennonite Christian Hospital announced Wednesday the launch of medical vehicles that will visit Donghe Township in Taitung to provide free liver screenings to the public.

According to the hospital, the liver disease mortality rate in the eastern region is two to three times higher than the national average. The hospital received funding from the National Health Insurance Administration to purchase mobile medical units and detect liver diseases in the community at an early stage, per CNA.

Cheng Mu-liang (鄭穆良), director of the liver disease center at Mennonite Christian Hospital, said that last year the center used blood tests to assess liver fibrosis markers in patients with alcohol dependency. This year, the focus has shifted to high-risk groups for second-stage screenings at the mobile unit or the hospital.

Cheng said that patients with suspicious cases detected by the center are referred to Taitung Hospital, near Donghe Township, for advanced diagnostics like ultrasound. This referral system is intended to lessen the burden of long-distance travel for patients.

Significant progress has been made in screening and treating hepatitis B and C, Cheng said. However, he added that individuals with alcohol dependence face a much higher risk of developing cirrhosis, severe liver scarring, and liver cancer if they do not receive timely treatment.

The liver is a "silent organ" and discomfort often indicates the condition has advanced, Cheng said. The hospital added the center will continue to set up liver screening booths at community events such as croquet matches and senior meals.

The health ministry reported that Taiwan recorded 7,724 liver cancer deaths in 2023, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, after lung cancer. It also noted an increase of 3,420 liver cancer cases between 2019 and 2023.

The risk of liver cancer increases with age and is more prevalent in men than women. In 2023, there were around 18,000 cases of liver cancer in Taiwan among people aged 45 to 64, with about 14,000 men and 4,000 women. For those aged 65 and older, the number rose to approximately 37,000, with 24,000 men and 13,000 women.