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In 1906 a leper colony was founded on Culion Island, in northern Palawan. At this time, Hansen’s disease, or leprosy as it is commonly known, was becoming an increasing problem in the Philippines. Those found to have the disease were arrested throughout the country and sent to Culion. They had no hope of a cure or of seeing their loved ones again – for this reason Culion was known as ‘the land of the living dead.’ Culion was to become the largest leper colony in the world and a Mecca for doctors studying the disease. In 1985 Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) was introduced as an effective cure for leprosy. Ten years ago, in 1998, the disease was officially eliminated from Culion.
Boat approaches the pier. |
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