Hadassah Hospital is preparing to move prime minister Ariel Sharon -- still in deep coma -- to long-term hospitalization facility

DEBKAfile Intelligence

January 15, 2006

The hospital has cut down its bulletins on the prime minister’s medical condition to terse “critical but stable” reports. Even after the reduction of sedation, he shows no sign of rousing from his deep coma. The specialists of the neurological department’s intensive care unit report they have completed his treatment and done all they can to contribute to his recovery from the massive stroke he suffered on Jan. 4. Some suggest recovery would be a miracle. For as long as he remains in a coma, the hospital has other departments for patients requiring long-term care. In one, a commodious suite is being prepared to accommodate the prime minister. A small space will be made available for his security guards.

DEBKAfile adds: The change in the prime minister’s hospital arrangements and reduction of the security detail attending him enable the attorney general to advise the government that Ariel Sharon is incapacitated and therefore incapable of taking up his duties at this time. This opens the way to formally transferring his functions to acting PM Ehud Olmert..

The prime minister’s office has already announced that normal government business will be resumed Sunday, Jan. 15.