The majority of the Taiwanese people who are Hepatitis B and C carriers have not received medical treatment. That’s according to statistics released Monday by Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration. July 28th marks World Hepatitis Day.
While hepatitis has long been considered a scourge in Taiwan, the death rate has dropped by 40% due to better vaccines developed over the past three decades.
The administration’s director-general Chiou Shu-ti Monday urged carriers to seek medical care.
“There are about 2.8 million Hepatitis B and C carriers. Among them, 900,000 people need medical treatment, but only 250,000 have had it," said Chiou. "If treated [earlier], 80% of liver cancer and 47% of liver cirrhosis can be prevented.”
Chiou said the medical community has come up with better treatment and follow-up care for liver problems. However, she said since the liver does not have pain receptors, it is often too late when a tumor is found.