Beginning this month, Mongolia will be offering free medical check-ups once a year for its citizens to detect diseases early on, especially cancer. People aged 18-34 can additionally receive tests for sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis free of charge.

Moreover, people aged 35 or over will be offered free screening for eight types of cancer, including liver cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, Mongolia has the world’s highest rates of liver cancer and the highest mortality rate from the disease. A total of 2,312 people were diagnosed with liver cancer in the country last year, of which 1,416 died.

The preventive check-ups are the latest in a series of moves in recent years by the government designed to improve public health. The cost of the new measures will be funded by the country’s Health Insurance Fund.