Statistics available to the Western Regional Health Directorate indicates that diabetes is on the rise in the region. The Western Regional Health Director, Dr (Mrs.) Linda Vanotoo has expressed worry that the disease, one of the incurable non-communicable diseases, was now affecting younger persons. The Regional Health Director, however, could not readily give figures of the number of people affected in the Region. Dr. Vanotoo made this known at the regional launch of this year’s World Diabetes Day celebration at the Sekondi Nurses and Midwifery Training College on Saturday. The theme for the celebration is: ”Act on Diabetes, Now,” and would be marked with medical screening, public lecturers, clinics, medical education campaigns and quizzes. Dr. Vanotoo advised persons, who experienced signs such as dry throats, vaginal itching, strange sore and regular urinating, to visit health facilities for medical checkup. She admonished people to exercise regularly, eat balanced diets, control temperament, ensure personal hygiene and have positive attitude towards life to avoid contracting the disease and added that some persons might contract diabetes for genetic reasons. Diabetes is not infectious, it can occur in children and adults alike, it has no cure, but can be controlled. "Take control of your own life if you have diabetes. Let us encourage a healthy lifestyle for our generation and the future generations”, she stressed. Mr. Nicolas N. Dadzie, the Regional President of the Diabetes Association, said the Association was formed in 1997 to educate the public on the need for efficient diabetes management. He added that the Association also intended to eradicate public misconception about diabetes and encouraged diabetic patients to live a healthy and normal lives. World Diabetes Day takes place on November 14 every year.