Many shook their bodies to the latin-inspired sounds of zumba this morning as more than 2,000 people sought professional health advice for free from health professionals who are giving their services free of charge at the Health Ministry until 7 p.m. today.

Organised by the health authorities for the second year in a row, the awareness raising event saw people checking their blood pressure and glucose levels and receive tips on breast monitoring.

Other services calculating body mass index, scoliosis, glaucoma screening, stress tests and examinations for skin-related conditions.

Advice on obesity and healthy eating, dental hygiene, physiotherapy, podiatry, sexually-transmitted diseases and mental health is also being given together with information on food labelling, nutrition and elderly and community care services.

Health Minister Joe Cassar said that the successful increase in operations being carried out at Mater Dei Hospital brought along an increased need of blood transfusions.

The minister, who had earlier donated blood at the Mobile Blood Donation Unit, urged all those attending to do so themselves. 

Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care Mario Galea said research showed that after the age of 46 one reached a degree of serenity. He said that one generally we look at ageing as a dull phase of life it was still possible to age beautifully and with dignity.