Hospitals’ innovative screening programs are saving lives through early detection.
Kaohsiung Municipal Fong Shan Hospital, led by the Chang Gung Medical Foundation, brings the service delivery innovation initiative back to the Taiwan awards at the 2025 Healthcare Asia Awards to work well in early stage lung cancer testing.
As one of Taiwan’s most deadly cancers, the survival rate of lung cancer depends largely on early detection. Among those who reduce mortality in this regard, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT), but accessibility and timely screening remain the main challenges.
Kaohsiung Municipal Fong Shan Hospital successfully implemented an efficient and streamlined screening process by participating in the early detection program for lung cancer in Taiwan, which prioritizes high-risk individuals based on family history and smoking habits.
These include men aged 50 to 74, as well as women aged 45 to 74 who have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Those aged 50 to 74 have a history of smoking of 30 years or more, including smokers who are currently willing to quit and former smokers who have quit within the last 15 years.
Routinely evaluate patients visiting the clinic for LDCT qualifications during the solicitation session; specialized smoking cessation counselors provide resources and support, while also promoting LDCT screening for smokers; nearby clinics can easily refer patients to screen for lung cancer via a dedicated hotline.
Kaohsiung Municipal Fong Shan Hospital also worked with 42 local village chiefs to raise awareness of lung cancer and distribute educational materials that encourage early screening.
These efforts make lung cancer screening easier than ever, with most qualified people accepting appointments within three days. From 2023 to 2024, 1,746 people were screened in the hospital, with 67.3% of participants referring internally and 32.7% were mentioned through the physician hotline.
The results also showed that 186 people (11%) diagnosed abnormalities through the lung-RADS system. 11 cases of lung cancer were successfully identified and 8 cases were diagnosed in phase 1 (73%).
Through rapid access to screening, community outreach and an active physician partnership, the hospital is setting new standards for lung cancer detection and prevention in Taiwan.
The Asian Healthcare Awards redefines hospitals of excellence in the region through its innovative solutions and substantial contributions to the community that redefine the industry’s standards of excellence.
The Asian Healthcare Award is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 Awards Ceremony and are praised for your organization's outstanding initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact JulieAnne Nuñez [email protected].
