Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday and has resumed full duties after being hospitalized for the second time since being diagnosed with prostate cancer last December, the Pentagon said.
“Following the advice of his doctors, Secretary Austin will recover and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week,” the Defense Department said in a statement. “He has full access to classified and unclassified communications systems necessary to perform his duties.”
The 70-year-old Pentagon chief has been plagued by ongoing health problems since he secretly underwent surgery in December to treat prostate cancer, a diagnosis he kept from senior government officials, including President Biden.
Austin was admitted to Walter Reed’s intensive care unit on Sunday for a bladder problem and underwent a non-surgical procedure under general anesthesia on Monday, according to his doctors.
Austin has “progressed well” and is expected to resume his duties as defense secretary. AFP via Getty Images
“He remained in good condition throughout and no longer required intensive care monitoring on the morning of Feb. 13,” said Dr. John Maddox, medical director of trauma, and Dr. Gregory Chesnut, director of the Research Center. of Prostate Diseases in Murtha. Cancer Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in a statement.
Doctors noted that Austin has “progressed well” and anticipated that he will “continue to make a full recovery.”
“The bladder problem was not related to his cancer diagnosis and will have no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis,” they added.
Austin is expected to host a virtual meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group on Wednesday and discuss the ongoing war between kyiv and Moscow with American partners.
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He was scheduled to travel to Brussels for the meeting, but Tuesday’s trip was canceled after his hospitalization.
In January, Austin sparked a firestorm after it emerged that he and his team failed to notify military leaders, Congress and the White House of his cancer diagnosis and subsequent hospitalization on New Year’s Day after complications from surgery. of prostatectomy.
Austin remained hospitalized for two weeks due to complications.
U.S. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers opened a formal congressional investigation into Austin’s health issue and lack of disclosure. Rod Lamkey/CNP/SplashNews.com
“I didn’t handle this well,” Austin admitted earlier this month.
“I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public. “I apologize to my teammates and the American people.”
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) opened a formal congressional investigation into Austin’s health issue and lack of disclosure.
The Defense secretary will face questions at a House Armed Services Committee hearing later this month about his health and his failure to inform the public.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn