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TAIPEI: Hepatitis B is endemic to Taiwan, where over 10,000 people die from the disease every year.
A documentary was aired recently to raise public awareness of the importance of hepatitis prevention and treatment.
At the age of 24, Brian Wang was diagnosed with Hepatitis B, a disease that will stay with him for the rest of his life. When he was first diagnosed as a fresh graduate, he followed his doctor's orders carefully.
But he never expected the obstacles that would come his way. Brian was fired from his job in a hi-tech company when his supervisor found out about his condition.
Brian said: "I was disappointed. It should be fine since I'm still young and there are anti-virus medications now. Maybe the company has its concern."
The risk of liver cancer is 100 times higher for people like Brian, and the prejudice he faces is not unusual.
Hepatitis B used to be the most common disease in Taiwan. People refer to it as one's destiny because the virus was passed from mother to baby, and from generation to generation.
25 years ago, one in six Taiwanese was born with HBV, the hepatitis B virus. Three people a day died of liver cancer and cirrhosis incurred by the disease back then. This has been reversed since the development of the vaccine. But even now, there are still over three million HBV carriers around the island.
A documentary was recently produced to raise awareness of the disease, especially since the cost of medication has stopped many people from seeking treatment.
Wu Ming-Shung, Director of Department of Digestion at Wan Fang Hospital, said: "Hepatitis prevention is effective. Both vaccine and medication can lower the chance of getting liver cancer and cirrhosis. It's worth to put money into this."
Brian added: "I am glad I was diagnosed at the early stage, or I might develop liver cancer which could kill me any time."
In Taiwan, the rate of new hepatitis B cases is low. The challenge for health experts is now to develop more effective vaccines, with longer protection. - CNA/de
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