Kuala Lumpur:The National Liver Health Initiative 2026-2030 aims to improve early detection and treatment of liver diseases, particularly liver cancer, by focusing on targeted screening and integrated patient care, announced Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that the initiative would prioritize individuals at higher risk, such as those with diabetes, obesity, and hepatitis B or C, rather than conducting mass screening across the population. He highlighted targeted screening as a financially sustainable method, especially for identifying advanced liver fibrosis before more serious conditions like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma develop.
Speaking at the launch of the National Liver Health Initiative Roadmap 2026-2030 at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Dr Dzulkefly said that avoiding blanket screening is economically prudent. The initiative aims to address the fragmentation in liver disease management by establishing a coordinated care pathway that covers prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring.
The strategy will connect primary healthcare facilities, hospitals, specialist services, and tertiary centers to ensure continuous patient care throughout treatment. Dr Dzulkefly stressed that no person diagnosed with hepatitis B and C should be lost between diagnosis and care, advocating for a clear pathway for clinical assessment, appropriate treatment, and long-term follow-up.
A coordinated patient-tracking system and improved information-sharing between healthcare facilities are essential to prevent loss of follow-up, especially for patients requiring ongoing monitoring for hepatitis B and C. Dr Dzulkefly proposed a 12-month implementation framework, starting with baseline assessments of disease prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and existing service gaps.
The framework will include standardized testing and referral protocols, pilot integrated services at selected facilities, and evaluations of patient outcomes before broader implementation. Dr Dzulkefly noted that early detection is crucial, as liver cancer often presents without symptoms, leading to late-stage diagnoses with limited treatment options and reduced survival prospects.
Highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis, he mentioned that five-year survival rates could reach about 70 percent with early detection, compared to less than five percent for stage four diagnoses. Dr Dzulkefly also expressed his ambition for Malaysia to lead the global liver health agenda at a future World Health Assembly, building on past efforts in lung health advocacy.
The ultimate goal is to establish an integrated liver healthcare system that enables earlier diagnosis, appropriate intervention, and improved patient outcomes.