A team of heart surgeons are in the country, to once again give local patients a new lease of life.

The team from the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation have been visiting Fiji for three years now and have performed 41 free heart surgeries.

Their current trip is expected to increase that number, as many lucky heart patients make use of the free surgery, which would otherwise cost about $40,000 abroad.

For three years now, the Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation of New Zealand have been performing life-saving surgeries.

Locals who suffer heart ailments, have been able to benefit from the free surgeries performed by heart specialists brought by this group.

This year, they intend to increase the number of surgeries they have performed by 30.

The team have already done the ground work in terms of identifying those in need of surgery.

The trustees are pleased with the support they have received so far and hope this continues as many who can't afford the surgery are the main beneficiaries.

Increased support would allow them to return on a regular basis.

All of this has been supported by a group of former Fiji residents who still have their country at heart.

FIJI 1 NATIONAL NEWS, November 9, 2008