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Sharon may soon be off respirator
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-20 21:19
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's breathing is improving and
he may soon be disconnected from a respirator, an official said Friday.
Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sits
next to the empty chair of ailing Prime Minister Ariel Sharon opens a
special cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem,
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006. [AP] |
Sharon, 77, has been unconscious at Hadassah Hospital since suffering a
devastating stroke Jan. 4. He has shown little progress after undergoing three
brain operations, and outside experts say his failure to regain consciousness
bodes poorly for his recovery prospects.
The Yediot Ahronot newspaper quoted unidentified doctors at Hadassah as
saying Sharon's condition has improved slightly and that he may no longer need
the respirator.
Raanan Gissin, a Sharon adviser, said doctors are considering taking him off
the respirator this weekend, but a final decision has not been made.
"They (the doctors) say it is possible they will do it," Gissin said. "They
are considering doing it. Whether they will or not is up to them. There is an
intention."
Yediot quoted an unidentified doctor as saying that Sharon hardly needs the
respirator "based on the amount of breaths, their depth and volume of oxygen."
Ten days ago, Sharon was relying almost exclusively on the machine to breathe,
Yediot reported.
Hadassah spokesman Ron Krumer declined comment on the report. Sharon remained
in critical but stable condition Friday.
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