US Secretary of Defense
Lloyd Austin transferred to intensive care unit for observation
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin initially kept prostate cancer a secret. photo
© Kevin Wolf/FR33460 AP/dpa
Lloyd Austin recently came under criticism because of a secret hospital stay. Now the minister is back in the hospital – and the Pentagon is noticeably more transparent.
Doctors added that the current bladder problem is not expected to affect his expected full recovery. The prognosis for his cancer remains excellent.
At this point it is not clear how long the minister (70) will stay in the hospital. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder initially announced that Austin had been taken to a military hospital near Washington with symptoms of an acute bladder problem. A few hours later it was said that deputy Kathleen Hicks had taken over his duties.
At the beginning of the year, the minister came under criticism for keeping a secret about prostate cancer and a hospital stay following complications from a procedure. Even US President Joe Biden didn’t know for several days that Austin was in the hospital – but later confirmed that he wanted to stick with him. Austin was released from the hospital on January 15th and then returned to work at the Pentagon in late January.