Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from a Washington-area hospital on Monday, two weeks after experiencing complications from surgery to treat prostate cancer, and hiding it from his subordinates at the Pentagon and his boss at the White House.
In a statement, Austin doctors said the 70-year-old would continue to work from home “for a period of time” and undergo physical therapy, but is expected to make a full recovery.
“Secretary Austin progressed well during his stay and his strength is returning,” Walter Reed National Military Medical Center doctors John Maddox and Gregory Chesnut said in a statement.
“He underwent a series of medical tests and evaluations and received non-surgical care during his stay to address his medical needs, including resolution of some persistent leg pain.”
Austin said in a separate statement that he was “grateful for the excellent care” he received at the country’s premier military hospital.
“I want to thank the outstanding doctors and nursing staff for their professionalism and excellent support. I am also grateful for all the well wishes I received for a speedy recovery,” Austin said.
Lloyd Austin was released from the hospital. ZUMAPRESS.com
“Now, as I continue to recover and perform my duties from home, I am eager to make a full recovery and return as quickly as possible to the Pentagon.”
Austin was rushed to Walter Reed in Bethesda, Maryland, on the night of January 1 in severe pain due to a urinary tract infection (a complication of a prostatectomy he had undergone on December 22), but no He informed the White House of his result. hospitalization until January 4.
Instead, he quietly transferred his authorities to Undersecretary Kathleen Hicks on January 2, without telling her or any of his Pentagon colleagues the reason behind it.
Hicks, who was on vacation in Puerto Rico at the time, did not learn of Austin’s hospitalization for two days.
Austin was rushed to Walter Reed National Military Hospital on the night of January 1 in severe pain due to a urinary tract infection. ZUMAPRESS.com
The Pentagon announced Austin’s hospitalization in a Friday night news release on Jan. 5, but the Secretary of Defense kept the full story of his hospitalization under wraps until last Tuesday, when his Walter Reed doctors issued a statement that It made news for both the Pentagon and the White House.
The secrecy sparked outrage on Capitol Hill, with some members of Congress calling for Austin to resign.
Critics of the defense secretary noted that Austin had been left in the dark at a time when the United States is grappling with the fallout from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, carrying out airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen while The Secretary of Defense was in bed.
Despite the backlash, the White House expressed confidence in Austin. AP
Despite the backlash, the White House expressed confidence in Austin, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby telling MSNBC on Friday: “We will all learn from this event, but the Secretary of Defense will remain in office.” “.
While touring Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Friday afternoon, President Biden told reporters “I do” when asked if he still had confidence in Austin, but also responded “yes” when asked if Austin had shown a error in judgment by not informing him of his illness. .
The 41-year-old Army veteran’s failure to inform his chain of command about his health problems sent shockwaves through Washington last week, but Austin is known for his deeply private nature that the Biden administration had previously appreciated.
Tasked with overseeing the disastrous US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, coordinating tens of billions of dollars in military aid shipments to Ukraine, and directing the US response to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, Austin has quietly delivered his duties as Biden’s first and only defense. secretary.
Lloyd Austin issued this statement following his release from a Washington area hospital. Defense Department
By contrast, former President Donald Trump had five acting and confirmed defense secretaries throughout his four years in office.
Prostate cancer is highly survivable, affecting one in eight American men during his lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
“Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent,” his doctors said. “He has no additional treatment planned for his cancer other than regular post-prostatectomy surveillance.”
“Early detection and treatment can result in an expected survival rate close to 100% when treated with appropriate individualized care plans,” they added.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn