Mentawai Expeditions
Travel Health

Health

Maintaining health is always a concern in the tropical rainforest. The constant high humidity and heat can be problematical and skin problems are frequent complaints of short-term visitors.

Western doctors will recommend that you take prophylactic malaria medication prior to the trip. Unfortunately, these drugs are counter-productive for local populations, increasing the mutation rate of malaria into new resistant strains. Instead, I carry Artenam as a curative; I have experienced no side effects and found it to be the best—and after suffering 17 attacks (during 15 years of jungle expeditions), I’ve tried them all! Protecting yourself against mosquito bites is critical, so bring plenty of 100 % Deet, and use it liberally and frequently. Most importantly, sleep under a tight mosquito net, pretreated with permethrin, that you have brought from home.

Padang has a hospital, but visitors suffering from a major problem might feel better being treated in one of the modern hospitals in Singapore. Several doctors and nurses live in the main harbor of Muara Siberut and there are nurses in some main villages throughout the island, although there are frequent shortages of medical supplies.

First Aid Kit

You are responsible for bringing your own first aid kit. Recommended minimum contents include personal medications, oral antihistamines, antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, athlete's foot cream, tweezers, waterproof band-aids, pain relievers, malaria pills, stomach/motion-sickness medicine and sunscreen.

Travel & Health Insurance

Although medical costs are very low in Indonesia, major problems can require being evacuated by air to Singapore. Should this become necessary, your guide will help organize it, but you will be responsible for all charges incurred. For all NP Adventures tours we require that you purchase travel health and emergency insurance. While NP Adventures and your tour guides are not responsible for your health, they will take every possible precaution to insure your safety.