SIX people have refused the free surgery offered by the visiting cardiac surgeons.
Sydney Adventist Hospital Open Heart Operation team co-ordinator Melanie Windus said the team had completed 31 surgeries with five to go.
She also said some patients were too sick for the surgery and there was recommendation for the patients to go abroad.
Just as every year some patients have refused the surgery but thats their choice, she said.
Some didnt show up while some came and said they didnt want surgery.
We are here to operate on those willing to have the surgery.
Ms Windus said while she understood that it was a big surgery, she said it could be their only chance to live a longer life.
We are here for a limited time and this might be their only chance for surgery, she said. They dont want to, it may be too late for them when they are offered again.
Ms Windus said finding volunteer surgeons was not easy and people would appreciate it if they knew that they came to Fiji because they wanted to help.
She said everyone she asked said yes to returning to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital next May.