Editor's Note: Liver diseases pose a serious threat to human health, with complex and varied courses that range from chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. To address these challenges and promote the integration of modern medical technologies with emerging innovations, the World Association of Chinese Doctors (WACD) has been continuously developing for ten years since 2014. On September 20, 2024, the "World Association of Chinese Doctors Physicians Hepatology Committee" was officially established. This committee aims to strengthen the global exchange and collaboration among Chinese physicians in hepatology, gather global research efforts, and drive innovative studies, aiming for breakthroughs in the field and contributing to the health and well-being of humanity. At the inaugural meeting, Dr. Jidong Jia from Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, was honored as the first Chair. The main content of our interview with Dr. Jia is summarized below for readers.Hepatology Digest: The World Association of Chinese Doctors Physicians was established on September 21, 2014, in Macau. It has now been ten years. What historical background and current conditions led to the formation of the Hepatology Committee?
Dr. Jidong Jia: From 2014 to 2024, the World Association of Chinese Doctors Physicians has gone through a decade of development. It is an international, academic, and non-profit organization initiated by Chinese medical groups from 13 countries and regions, registered in Macau with offices established in China according to relevant regulations. The association is committed to unity, communication, coordination, and collaboration.
In the current era, the international situation is highly complex and ever-changing. The mission of WACP transcends social systems, ideologies, and religious beliefs, returning to the essence of medicine—healing and saving lives, serving the health and well-being of humanity.
Under this shared goal and mission, the “World Association of Chinese Doctors Physicians Hepatology Committee” came into being. Under the leadership of WACP, we aim to unite Chinese physicians in clinical, pathology, imaging, and surgical specialties related to liver diseases, actively engage with international experts, physician organizations, medical institutions, and companies, and integrate advanced concepts and practices with the realities of healthcare at home and abroad. Together, we will drive the development of global liver disease diagnosis and treatment, contribute to the field of hepatology, and ultimately promote health for all.
Hepatology Digest: How do you view the development trends and changes in liver diseases in China?
Dr. Jidong Jia: Hepatology became a clinical specialty after the 1950s, evolving from gastroenterology in developed countries like Europe, the United States, and Japan. In China, where hepatitis was once the predominant liver disease, hepatology has long been closely linked to infectious disease, with many liver disease specialists originally coming from infectious or communicable disease backgrounds.
A significant trend in liver disease in China is the substantial reduction in the incidence of viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B, which was once highly prevalent. Another key shift is the rapid rise in metabolic-related liver diseases (e.g., nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) and alcoholic liver disease due to economic growth and lifestyle changes over the past three to four decades. As a result, China now faces the dual challenge of dealing with infectious liver diseases common in developing countries and non-communicable liver diseases typical of developed nations.
Hepatology Digest: Could you provide more details on the preparation and establishment process of the Hepatology Committee?
Dr. Jidong Jia: In June 2023, to unite Chinese hepatology physicians worldwide and promote clinical and research development in liver disease-related fields, we invited Chinese liver disease experts from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany to jointly initiate the establishment of the World Association of Chinese Doctors Physicians Hepatology Committee. By September of that year, we officially submitted the application to the WACP General Assembly. During this period, Professor Lai Wei, Professor Xiaoyuan Xu, Professor Yuemin Nan, Professor Hong You, and I co-initiated the process and worked actively with the General Assembly and overseas experts to form the preparatory committee. The committee comprises 70 Chinese hepatologists from mainland China’s 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as four overseas countries. Driven by a strong sense of social responsibility and mission, we are committed to advancing this cause to enhance collaboration among Chinese physicians worldwide, improve the diagnosis and treatment of common liver diseases (e.g., chronic hepatitis B, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma), and promote research and talent development for rare and challenging liver conditions.
Hepatology Digest: What is the significance of establishing the Hepatology Committee for the development of WACP and the field of hepatology?
Dr. Jidong Jia: On September 20, 2024, at the WACP 10th Anniversary Conference held in Qingdao, the “World Association of Chinese Doctors Physicians Hepatology Committee” was officially established, marking a new starting point for global collaboration and development among Chinese hepatologists. Domestic and international members will leverage their expertise and experience to enhance the academic standing and influence of Chinese physicians in the field of hepatology through various forms of exchange and cooperation, thereby contributing to the improvement of liver health and overall human well-being.
