Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from Walter Reed National Army Medical Center on Tuesday and has resumed full duty after being hospitalized for the second time since his prostate cancer diagnosis last December, the Pentagon said.
“On the advice of his doctor, Secretary Austin will recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week,” the Department of Defense said in a statement. “He has full access to the unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties.”
The 70-year-old Pentagon chief has been plagued by ongoing health issues since undergoing secret surgery in December to treat prostate cancer – a diagnosis he withheld from top government officials, including President Biden.
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed’s intensive care unit Sunday for bladder problems and underwent a non-surgical procedure under general anesthesia on Monday, according to his doctor.
Austin has “developed well” and is expected to resume his duties as Secretary of Defense. AFP via Getty Images
“He remained in good condition throughout and no longer required critical care monitoring on the morning of February 13,” Dr. John Maddox, director of trauma medicine, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, director of the Prostate Disease Research Center at Murtha Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Army Medical Center, said in a statement.
The doctors stated that Austin has been “thriving well” and they expect him to “continue to make a full recovery.”
“The bladder issue was unrelated to his cancer diagnosis and would not have impacted his excellent cancer prognosis,” they added.
Austin is expected to host a virtual meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Liaison Group on Wednesday and consult with US partners on the ongoing war between Kyiv and Moscow.
Follow today’s most important news
Stay up to date with the Evening Update.
Thank you for signing up!
He had been scheduled to travel to Brussels for the meeting, but Tuesday’s trip was canceled following his hospitalization.
In January, Austin sparked a firestorm after he and his team failed to inform military leaders, Congress and the White House of his cancer diagnosis and New Year’s Day hospitalization after complications from prostatectomy surgery.
Austin remained hospitalized for two weeks due to complications.
US Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers opened a formal congressional investigation into Austin’s health scare and lack of disclosure. Rod Lamkey/CNP/SplashNews.com
“I don’t handle this right,” Austin admitted earlier this month.
“I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should also have told my team and the American public. I apologize to my teammates, and to the American people.”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) has opened a formal congressional investigation into Austin’s health scare and lack of disclosure.
The defense secretary will face questions in a House Armed Services Committee hearing later this month about his health and his failure to inform the public.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
