Naju-si Signs Health Checkup Agreement for Vulnerable Groups with 3 Internal Medicine Clinics

Naju City in Jeollanam-do has signed a business agreement with three internal medicine clinics to provide free testing for 'Hepatitis B and C' to high-risk groups aged 40 and over for liver cancer.

According to the city on the 7th, the purpose of this business agreement is to promote early screening and treatment of chronic hepatitis, which accounts for more than 70% of the causes of liver cancer.

Naju City signed a business agreement with three internal medicine clinics to provide health checkups for vulnerable groups.
[Photo by Naju City]

The hospitals that signed the agreement with Naju City are ‘Hangaram Internal Medicine Clinic’ and ‘Sokpyeonhan Internal Medicine Clinic’ in Bitgaram-dong, and ‘Isanggon United Internal Medicine Clinic’ located in Seongbuk-dong.

Liver cancer is a high-risk cancer ranked second in cancer mortality in Korea, and about 70% of cases are known to be caused by Hepatitis B and C.

If not treated in time, it can become chronic and worsen into cirrhosis or liver cancer, making preemptive testing and treatment very important.

In particular, Hepatitis C is not included in the national health screening items and there is no preventive vaccine, so early treatment and management are crucial, and preemptive testing is recommended.

Blood test coupons for Hepatitis B (antigen and antibody) and Hepatitis C (antibody) can be issued at public health centers, health branch offices, and clinics, and submitted to designated hospitals for testing. Those eligible for liver cancer (national cancer) screening in the current year and those who had Hepatitis B and C tests in the previous year are excluded.

For more details, contact the Health Promotion Division, Health Support Team at Naju City Public Health Center.

Meanwhile, for post-test management, those who test positive for Hepatitis B or C can be registered with the National Health Insurance Corporation as national cancer (liver cancer) screening candidates, and those who do not have Hepatitis B antibodies can receive free preventive vaccines at public health centers or health branch offices by presenting their blood test results.

A public health center official said, “Through this business agreement, we expect to reduce the incidence of liver cancer among local residents and create a healthier community.”

Naju = Kim Yukbong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr