New Delhi: The 'Nutrition for Health Care Mela' organised by Delhi University's Lady Irwin College in the capital drew huge crowds from neighbouring low-income residential areas and university employee families, who came to avail of the various free check-ups.

Organised by its Department of Food and Nutrition, the college celebrated the department's Golden Jubilee here on Friday by hosting the healthcare event, said to be the biggest in Delhi University yet. It included free eye care, cardiac, diabetes, general check-ups and nutritional assessment.

"We have seen a footfall of over thousand people. Not only students but people from nearby areas, university employee families came in hordes - The diabetic and cardio checkups seem to be most popular, they are the most expensive outside," Kriti Jain, a postgraduate student and registration in-charge, told sources.

Rani, 30, from a poor neighbourhood nearby, brought her five-year-old son Rohan for a general check-up and nutrition assessment.

Pointing to various doctors in white coats doing the rounds on college grounds, she said: "They seem dependable and it's not often one gets an opportunity for such healthcare for free."

As a part of its commitment to nutrition promotion and improving community outreach, the Department of Food and Nutrition brought together various partners from the healthcare industry for this event.

"It's the first time, so many health organisations and hospitals have collaborated for a single public outreach programme - The mela was attended by people from all walks of life," Pulkit Mathur, faculty member and member organising committee said.

The main attraction of the fete was free health, nutrition checkups and counselling. There were about 14 display stalls including that of Glaxo Smithkline, the main sponsor of the event and Nestle.

Fortis, Max and AIIMS hospitals also put up display and counselling stalls.

The general health check and nutritional assessment was done by Lady Irwin College, the diabetes checkup by Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, eye checkup by Centre for Sight, heart checkup by Escorts Heart Research Centre and bone density by Indian Society for Bone Mineral Research. In addition there was diet counseling by Lady Irwin College.

Various public lectures on issues ranging from deficiency diseases, lifestyle changes and health to specific sessions on cardiac and bone health had been organised for students alongside the daylong event. IANS