Sharon gets feeding tube
2006-02-01 21:37
Jerusalem - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, in a coma after having a huge brain haemorrhage four weeks ago, underwent an operation on Wednesday to insert a feeding tube to his stomach.
"The procedure, which went well, should allow Mr Sharon to be fed directly via the stomach in order to avoid complications," Ron Krumer, spokesperson for Jerusalem's Hadassah hospital where Sharon is being treated, told AFP.
"The prime minister is still in a critical but stable condition," he said.
The 77-year-old was admitted to hospital on January 4
after a massive stroke and has been comatose since then, although doctors are trying to gradually bring him out of the coma.
On Tuesday, Israeli television reported that Sharon had responded to commands by his doctors to move his eyes and one of his hands, saying it was a "very positive" sign.
- AFP