"There is still low investment in health, especially with the local government units," Ubial said.
Even the private individual, Ubial added, does not spend much for his health.
"People only spend when they are already sick, which is actually detrimental to the health situation," the regional health department chief said.
With higher costs, in addition to the unproductive or low productivity state of a sick person, the reactionary mentality of the people with regard to health care is actually costing more than it should.
"Prevention is still better than cure," Ubial said.
The 2008 budget allocated only P19.77 billion for the health department.
Current health problems that plague Southern Mindanao are diseases that are deemed to be curable and preventable, such as dengue, maternal mortality, and lack of access to safe drinking water.
"This should be a concerted effort between the lgu's and the health department, it must be a collective effort of all," Ubial said.
