20,000 free heart operations through special programme [September 16 2008]

Social Services and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri has made arrangements to perform 20,000 heart operations free of charge through a special programme to be launched on September 28.

This programme is to be jointly implemented by the State and private sectors to cut down the long waiting lists for heart surgeries which consists of over 30,000 at the moment.

The programme will reduce the burden on President’s Fund, Coordinating Secretary to the Minister, Supun Ratnayake said.