Dr Ofosu said the region recorded a significant reduction in maternal and newborn deaths following the contributions of the GRCS in its sensitization and logistics support to maternal health care.

He said the GRCS supported the health sector in the region with 10 tricycle ambulances purposely to transport women in labour to health centres for delivery and encouraged women in the region to embrace the concept of delivering at health facilities which has saved lives.

“The Red Cross also has women volunteers who move from house to house to identify pregnant women and link them to health facilities which has contributed significantly to reduce the number of women and newborns that would have died as result of pregnancy and delivery complications”, he said.

The Regional Health Director said this during this year’s National Youth Camp of the Ghana Red Cross Society held in Bolgatanga.

He added “the contributions of the Red Cross has made the Upper East Region the only region in the country with high number of women delivering at health centres”.

The annual National Youth Camp is a platform for the youth wing of the Ghana Red Cross Society to meet and take stock while deliberating on measures to improve upon their services to humanity.

Mr Samuel Kofi Addo, National Secretary of the GRCS, said the national camping is necessary to build the capacities of the youth towards the development of the country.

He said the society has contributed to the health sector in sensitizing the public on cholera, malaria and Ebola diseases.

He said the society since its inception has made tremendous contributions towards disaster reduction through disaster risk prevention measures.

“During the Northern floods, some few years ago, for example, we built about 300 houses for those whose houses were destroyed in the Northern and the Upper East Regions alone” he added.

Mr Joseph Abarike, he Upper East Regional Manager of the Society, speaking to the Ghana News Agency said the society is into disaster preparedness while partnering NADMO to support victims during emergencies.

He expressed concern with the lack of logistics saying it has affected the smooth operations of the society.

The youth as part of activities for the 2018 youth camp embarked on training programmes for its members on first aid and drilling exercises, youth entrepreneurship and sensitized community members on health related issues.