TAIPEI, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Medical experts in Taiwan have called for public attention to the treatment and prevention of hepatitis C, as World Hepatitis Day approaches.

Pwu Raoh-fang, an expert on hepatitis C, said the disease is relatively unknown among the public, making it a major cause of liver diseases in Taiwan.

"Hepatitis C could develop into cirrhosis or even liver cancer," she said.

Local authorities have been trying to help with the treatment and prevention of the disease by offering medicine, as well as sending doctors to remote areas where there is a high incidence of hepatitis C.

"We have included a new, effective medicine against the disease into the health insurance system," Pwu said. "We hope to reduce the number of hepatitis C patients by half in 2025."

There are at least 400,000 people suffering from hepatitis C in Taiwan, but as many as 50 percent are unaware of their health conditions until severe symptoms show, according to Pwu.