1.
intractable disease; incurable illness; rare disease
A disease that is difficult to treat or cure, especially one officially designated as an intractable disease by the government. In Japan, the term is used both in everyday language and as an official medical/legal category for diseases eligible for government support.
Usage
In Japan, 難病 has both a general meaning (any hard-to-cure disease) and an official designation under the 難病法 (Intractable Disease Act), which provides medical expense subsidies for patients with designated conditions.
Common collocations
- 難病と闘う (to fight an intractable disease)
- 難病患者 (patient with an intractable disease)
- 難病指定 (intractable disease designation)
- 難病を克服する (to overcome an intractable disease)