The number of patients on the waiting lists for heart surgery at the government hospitals had risen to 30,000 Deputy Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, Lionel Premasiri said yesterday (15).

He made this observation at a seminar held in Colombo in connection with the International Cardiac Day.

Each day about 475 patients suffering from cardiac ailments visited government hospitals and dispensaries for treatment and as a result almost one half of the national population would suffer from heart ailments in the next 15 years, he said.