present for such treatment at medical institutions. Moreover, individuals who test positive for hepatitis do not always receive appropriate hepatitis treatment even after presenting at medical institutions. Therefore, it is necessary for core centers to develop a regional network for hepatitis treatment, where core centers, specialized institutions and primary physicians cooperate with each other in accordance with the "Guidelines for the system for treatment of liver disease after hepatitis test in local regions" (Report of National Conference of Hepatitis C in 2007), to develop a system that ensures all patients with hepatitis receive appropriate and continuous treatment. It is also necessary for the relevant parties, including personnel in charge of health care in the community and at work sites, to cooperate with each other and recommend that patients with hepatitis visit appropriate medical institutions, by implementing recommendations for such visits and for follow-up after hepatitis testing in patients testing positive for hepatitis.

It is important to establish procedures for environments in which patients with hepatitis receive treatment while working, in order to secure the cooperation of relevant parties, including business operators, personnel in charge of health care in the community and at work sites and labor unions.

Furthermore, early and appropriate treatment of hepatitis shall be promoted by providing financial support for medical expenses such as antiviral therapy to reduce the economic burden on patients, as well as financial support for the development and dissemination of information for the general public regarding the various systems related to hepatitis treatment.

## (2) Issues to be considered

a) The national government shall enhance education of support personnel involved in the community and work sites, including follow-up after hepatitis testing and recommendations for treatment, in order to provide hepatitis treatment appropriate for the pathological condition of individual patients with hepatitis in cooperation with local governments. The national government shall deliver booklets, etc. providing information on topics such as hepatitis disease conditions, treatment and systems related to hepatitis treatment in order to support information provision to patients with hepatitis, and cooperation between core centers, specialized institutions and primary physicians.

b) The national government shall collect information necessary for personnel in charge of health care in the community and at work sites to provide to patients with hepatitis, and shall cooperate with local governments and health care insurers to disseminate such information.

c) The national government shall provide technical support for the Hepatitis Information Center to conduct effective training of medical staff in core centers. The national and prefectural governments shall discuss more effective training methods to be used by core centers and improve the content of such training.

d) The national government shall conduct research to promote linkage of clinical practice between regions, and shall utilize the results to support enhancement of the current system for liaising with different regions for clinical practice, taking local characteristics into consideration.

e) The national government shall collect information about hepatitis disease conditions,