Rwandans have been urged to seek early tests on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes to ensure that they remain healthy or get timely treatment if found already suffering from the diseases.The call was made on Friday in Gisagara District, Southern Province, as health officials joined residents to mark the World Diabetes Day.The day is annually marked on November 14 to raise awareness on the effects of diabetes and its complications among the general population.It was marked under the theme, "Prevent diabetes to protect our future.” This year’s celebrations mark the fifth and final year of the 2009–2013 campaign on diabetes education and prevention around the world.It was co-organised by the Ministry of Health and that of Sports and Culture, and used as an occasion to encourage the people to engage in sports. Participants were also given free diabetes test.Speaking at the function, Dr Evariste Ntaganda, the head of the non-communicable diseases division at the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said early testing gives one a chance to know their status and seek early response.Dr Ntaganda said the Ministry of Health has been organising training and skills development workshops for practicing medical staff in order to equip them with basic skills on how to deal with cases of diabetes.The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Eduard Kalisa, said his ministry is partnering with that of health to raise awareness on ways of preventing diabetes, including through sports.Kalisa said his ministry will continue to encourage sports for masses to make sure every Rwandan maintains a healthy body weight.He encouraged residents to be physically active and eat a healthy diet, among other best practices, to mitigate the risks of catching diabetes.Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days and a healthy diet can drastically reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.Deadly diseaseDiabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (Type 1) or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (Type 2). Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.More than 350 million people worldwide have diabetes, according to figures from the World Health Organisation.  The disease is responsible for one death every seven seconds and accounts for more than 4.6 million deaths per year.In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high fasting blood sugar. Total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50 per cent in the next 10 years, according to the organisation.In developed countries, most people with diabetes are above the age of retirement, whereas in developing countries, those most frequently affected are aged between 35 and 64.Officials say 50 per cent of sufferers do not know that they are diabetic, while WHO argues that the lack of awareness about diabetes, combined with insufficient access to health services and essential medicines can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure.Jean Marie Habimana, a diabetic, recounted his ordeal before he discovered that he was suffering from diabetes.He recalled how when his health situation worsened a few years ago, his family rejected him and some people in his home area started thinking that he had contracted HIV/Aids."Had I not reported at hospital, I would have passed away,” he said."It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that they adopt best practices and make sure they adopt behaviour that do not put their lives at risk,” said  Habimana, who called for continued education campaigns on the disease.