Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Sharon still receiving small amount of sedatives, condition remains the same | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page

JERUSALEM (AP) – Ariel Sharon is still receiving a small amount of sedatives and remains comatose in critical but stable condition, a hospital official said Saturday, 10 days after the Israeli leader suffered a massive stroke.

Doctors on Wednesday began reducing the level of sedatives with the intent of drawing Sharon out of an induced coma. He has responded to pain stimulus in his right leg and both arms but has not shown any signs of waking up, doctors said.

Outside medical experts say his failure to regain consciousness does not bode well for his recovery. But hospital officials say it’s too early to make conclusions about Sharon’s prospects. There has been no improvement in Sharon’s condition in recent days.

Hospital spokesman Ron Krumer said Sharon remained lightly sedated Saturday, though doctors are not sure Sharon will wake up once the sedation is ended.

Officials have not said when they think Sharon might be totally off the anesthetics nor by when he could wake up.

Hospital officials say only that doctors are continuing to reduce the sedation, and have not had to increase the medication since they began weaning him off the drugs.

The hospital planned another update on Sharon’s condition Saturday evening after the end of the Jewish sabbath.