Doctors stated Tuesday that US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was taken to critical care last week for complications following prostate cancer surgery, after he faced criticism for delaying days to notify the White House about his protracted hospital stay.
The refusal of the 70-year-old to reveal his hospitalisation kept senior authorities in the dark about his condition as Washington attempts to handle the consequences from the Israel-Hamas war, which has resulted in bloodshed against American soldiers in Iraq and Syria, as well as attacks on international commerce.
Austin’s “prostate cancer was detected early, and his prognosis is excellent,” according to two doctors from Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, according to a Pentagon statement.
Austin underwent a small surgical surgery on 22 December to address the cancer that was discovered as a consequence of normal screening, and he returned home the following day, according to their statement.
But he was readmitted to the same hospital on 1 January due to complications “including nausea with severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain. Initial evaluation revealed a urinary tract infection,” necessitating further treatment.
“He continues to make progress and we anticipate a full recovery although this can be a slow process. During this stay, Secretary Austin never lost consciousness and never underwent general anesthesia,” the doctors said.
While Austin was readmitted in the hospital on 1 January, the Pentagon made no public disclosure until four days later, and it also took four days to tell President Joe Biden and Congress.
Some of Austin’s authority was handed to Deputy Defence Secretary Kathleen Hicks on 2 January, but she was not informed of his hospitalisation until two days later, according to Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder.
The White House was notified on 4 January by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, but Congress was not informed until the next day – the same day the Pentagon made a public disclosure.
Some Republican lawmakers have called for Austin to resign or be fired, but the White House has stood by the secretary, and Ryder said the secretary has no plans to resign.
Via Firstpost World Latest News https://ift.tt/FJDTzOh
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