Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, comatose since January after suffering a massive stroke, is transferred on Sunday morning to a long-term care facility at Tel Hashomer Hospital outside Tel Aviv. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    JERUSALEM, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, comatose since January after suffering a massive stroke, was transferred on Sunday morning to a long-term care facility at Tel Hashomer Hospital outside Tel Aviv, local newspaper the Jerusalem Post reported.

    Sharon has been hospitalized at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem since Jan. 4, and from now on, he will receive care in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer for respiratory care and rehabilitation, according to the report.

    Director-General of the Sheba Medical Center Ze'ev Rothstein said at a press conference that Sharon was currently in his bed at the Respiratory Rehabilitation Ward and would be attended by a personal nurse around the clock.

    Rothstein also said that the purposes of the rehabilitation treatment were to help Sharon get off the respirator and regain consciousness.

    "We have a strategy drawn out for how to treat him," Rothstein said. "At his age and in his condition, complications are common, and our aim is to try to stabilize him and avoid complications."

    Doctors at Sheba have worked out a timetable to achieve those goals, he added.

    The senior doctor, however, admitted that as time went by, the chance of Sharon's regaining consciousness after a debilitating stroke was reduced.

    "Experts say that the chances of achieving the goals are slim, but we have faith and we will provide the maximum treatment in an effort to get results," Rothstein said.

    Authorities chose not to move Sharon, who is still connected to a respirator, by helicopter, although both hospitals have helipads.

    Experts from the Sheba Medical Center have been consulting with Sharon's doctor and experts at Hadassah Hospital for several weeks about Sharon's transfer.

    A press conference is due to be held after Sharon arrives at Sheba, and Rothstein will speak to reporters about Sharon's treatment.

    Sharon underwent extensive brain surgeries after suffering amassive bleeding in his brain on Jan. 4 and since then, he has remained in coma. Enditem