2024-02-14 05:58:25
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been discharged from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for the second time after surgery to treat prostate cancer, Reuters reported, citing a Pentagon press release.
Austin, 70, underwent surgery in December. On Sunday, he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Walter Reed for a second time with a bladder problem, and yesterday he underwent a non-surgical procedure under general anesthesia.
Last month, a political scandal broke out in the United States after it became clear that Austin had not informed the White House about his operation, as well as about the subsequent hospitalization in January, recalls Reuters. Even President Joe Biden learned that Austin was in the hospital days after he was admitted to Walter Reed. This was reported by BTA.
Last week, the US defense secretary spoke to reporters about the progress of his recovery, but on Sunday he was again admitted to Walter Reed for treatment due to an emergency bladder problem.
The latest hospitalization forced Austin to cancel a planned trip to NATO headquarters in Brussels this week. He was also due to host a live meeting on Wednesday to discuss issues related to Ukraine, but the consultations are being held in a virtual format.
“The secretary still intends to participate in the virtual meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine tomorrow,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.