Pioneers of Medicine and Medical Breakthroughs in Taiwan

Welcome to Pioneers of Medicine and Medical Breakthroughs in Taiwan!

The Hepatitis B immunization program has been a success in Taiwan. Since the implementation of the vaccination program, the prevalence and incidence of Hepatitis B have dropped significantly. In order to optimize the protection against Hepatitis B, the government has to prevent the transmission of the virus. One route of transmission is the vertical transmission, which is mother-to-child transmission. If a pregnant woman is a hepatitis B carrier, will the infant be infected too? What can we do to prevent vertical transmission? In this lesson, pediatrician Dr. Chang will talk about the strategy to tackle this problem.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common in Taiwan. With the progression of CKD, the patient will reach the final stage of the disease, which is called End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Most patients with ESRD will have to receive dialysis to substitute for their failing kidney. The prevalence of dialysis in Taiwan is among the top in the world due to its health care policy. In this talk, nephrologist Dr. Chao will give you an insight about end-stage renal disease and its management.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the final stage of chronic kidney disease. It means that the kidney can no longer function on their own. At this point, interventions must be done to help the failing kidney. In this lesson, you will learn about the role of hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation in ESRD, which have saved many lives. In this talk, Prof. Tsai, an experienced and skillful renal transplant surgeon, will also share his experience in living-related renal transplantation in National Taiwan University Hospital.