At the weekend, US Secretary of Defense Austin, who was suffering from cancer, had to go to the hospital again. Now he could be released. The Pentagon chief has already had several hospital stays.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has been released from the hospital after another hospital stay. The 70-year-old is recovering well and has “resumed his full functions and duties,” Austin’s office said.
The minister will initially work from home before returning to the Pentagon later this week. The White House and the US Congress have been informed of Austin’s return to work, the Defense Department said.
Austin was being treated under general anesthesia for a bladder problem as part of his battle with prostate cancer, according to treating doctors Monday. According to the Pentagon, the official duties at the head of the ministry have been transferred to Austin’s deputy Kathleen Hicks.
Participation in meetings in Brussels canceled
Austin also canceled his participation in important meetings on Ukraine and NATO in Brussels on Monday because of the complications. According to the Pentagon, today’s meeting of the international contact group to coordinate weapons aid for Ukraine will now take place virtually. Austin will attend if he can. At the NATO defense ministers’ meeting on Thursday, he would be represented by the US ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, it was said.
The attending physician at Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington said on Tuesday that the prognosis for Austin’s prostate cancer remains excellent. The recent bladder problems would have no impact on this.
Sharp criticism of Austins Information policy
Austin had already been hospitalized twice in December and January after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Because the minister kept the illness a secret from President Joe Biden and Congress for weeks, he drew sharp criticism. There were calls for his resignation from the ranks of the opposition Republicans.
Austin was released from the hospital on January 15th and initially did not work from the Pentagon. The White House and the Pentagon launched internal investigations into the case. Biden acknowledged a lack of communication in Austin because of his silence about his health problems, but at the same time expressed his confidence in him.