A new campaign for liver screenings in Taitung just began. A hospital in East Taiwan has launched mobile medical units to serve the community. These units will visit Donghe Township to offer free liver screenings to local residents.
This initiative comes from a growing concern over liver disease in the region. Experts report that liver-related death rates in East Taiwan are two to three times higher than the national average. The hospital received support from the National Health Insurance Administration to address this issue directly.
Doctors at the liver center started by screening patients with alcohol dependency last year. They used blood tests to check liver fibrosis markers. This year, the team expanded their focus. They now target other high-risk groups for stage-two screenings either on-site or at the hospital.
When doctors find potential cases, they refer those patients to nearby Taitung Hospital. This system helps residents avoid long and tiring trips to distant medical centers. Patients can then receive detailed imaging tests such as ultrasounds closer to home.
The center’s director stressed that alcohol dependency remains a serious risk factor. Without early treatment, patients can develop cirrhosis, severe liver scarring, or even cancer. Early diagnosis through regular checks is critical in preventing such outcomes.
Because the liver shows no symptoms in early stages, many people remain unaware of their condition. By the time they feel discomfort, the disease has often progressed. That’s why the hospital also plans to set up liver screening booths at local events, like croquet tournaments and community meals for seniors.
Recent national statistics show the danger is rising. Taiwan saw 7,724 deaths from liver cancer in 2023. Liver cancer now ranks as the second deadliest cancer, just behind lung cancer. The number of new liver cancer cases has also increased significantly in the last five years.
Middle-aged and older men face the highest risk. In 2023, people aged 45 to 64 recorded nearly 18,000 liver cancer cases. Out of those, 14,000 were men and just 4,000 were women. Among seniors aged 65 and up, the total cases reached 37,000.
Programs like these liver screenings in Taitung offer a lifeline to communities with limited healthcare access. They bring medical care directly to those who need it most. With early diagnosis and proper follow-up, more lives can be saved.
As the program expands, liver screenings in Taitung will help rewrite the future of liver health in rural Taiwan.
