Ten years’ experience in Niigata Prefecture liver disease consultation center

Abstract

Niigata University Hospital Center for Liver Diseases was established in 2009, following a notice issued in 2007 aimed at developing the care system for liver diseases. The center provides proper medical information to increase awareness on hepatitis C (HCV) and manages the medical expense subsidy system for viral hepatitis in Niigata Prefecture. The center cooperates with national government organizations and publishes an annual report on viral hepatitis in Niigata Prefecture. Additionally, the center works towards viral hepatitis eradication but employs strategies based on local settings because of a lack of doctors. A large number of Japanese citizens have not been tested for hepatitis C. Furthermore, the hepatitis E, hepatitis A and drug-resistant hepatitis B virus must be carefully monitored. The center, therefore, plays an important role in terms of providing citizens with a good healthcare environment through various medical expense support systems related to liver cancer and liver cirrhosis.