Leprosy in Sarawak, Borneo: A 5 Year Review from 2008 to 2012

The reduction of endemic leprosy among the Penan people is crucial to the elimination of leprosy. The Penans were a nomadic tribe of around 10,000 people in the Baram area. Leprosy is estimated to

affect 1 in 114 Penans.The Penans live in difficult terrain and active case detection via leprosy surveys are challenging due to their nomadic lifestyle, deep inside the primary rainforest. Ongoing deforestation has made the Penan wary of outsiders and driven them into areas where few healthcare workers are willing to go. Most Penans are now semi-nomadic. The 100% treatment completion rates among Penans who actually seek treatment is likely due to direct observed therapy (DOT) within Penan settlements.