A ceremony was arranged here on Saturday to celebrate the fourth founding anniversary of Pakistan Kidney Center Abbottabad and raise awareness among the public about common kidney diseases and risk factors for kidney failure. Renowned nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was chief guest at the ceremony held at the Islamabad Club, while noted comic poet Prof Anwar Masood participated as special guest. The ceremony was also followed by a charity dinner. On the occasion, Pakistan Kidney Centre Chief Executive Officer and eminent nephrologist Dr Khalil ur Rehman delivered his special lecture on growing kidney diseases in the country, prevention strategies and the challenges. He advised the participants to adopt healthy lifestyle and avoid junk food to prevent spread of kidney diseases, adding that early and regular check-ups and aggressive screening helps avoid future complications in case one captures the disease. Dr Khalil said the Pakistan Kidney Centre is providing various services to the people in the area, including dialysis, out of which 70 percent are getting free services. “Around 70 percent of patients are getting free medical check-up services at the OPD also. Till now, dozens of mobile camps have been conducted and thousands of patients have availed free medical check-ups through the Mobile Outreach Screening Program,” he said. “This year, the Pakistan Kidney Centre will start construction of an operation theater. Whereas, construction of 50-bed hospital and transplant centre are also in the pipeline,” he added. The Pakistan Kidney Center, built by the Pakistan Welfare Society (PWS), a Jeddah-based non-profit organisation, with the support of Pakistani expatriates and philanthropists working in Saudi Arabia and other countries, is equipped with the latest dialysis equipment while the facility is accessible to around 10 million people in the region.