Def Sec Austin discharged from hospital after bladder treatment

Daniel ChaitinFebruary 13, 2024

Pentagon Announces Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Hospital Release

The Pentagon made an exciting announcement on Tuesday, ⁢revealing that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been discharged from the hospital. Austin had received treatment⁢ for a bladder issue, which led him ⁣to transfer his duties to his deputy for the second time in⁢ two months.

A statement was released within hours of his departure from Walter⁣ Reed National Military Medical Center, marking a‌ shift towards greater transparency. Previously, Austin faced criticism for not informing top⁣ officials in the Biden administration and Congress about his hospitalization on January 1. This hospitalization was due to complications stemming from a prostate cancer procedure he‍ underwent in ⁣December.

The‌ Department of Defense (DoD) issued a statement, stating, “Following consultation with medical staff, Secretary Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today at approximately 3:30 ‍pm. He is recovering well and‍ resumed ⁣his full functions‍ and duties today at 5 pm. The Deputy Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress have been notified.”

The statement also mentioned that Austin ⁣will continue to recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home before returning to work at the Pentagon later in the week. It emphasized ⁢that he has full access to the necessary communication systems to carry out his responsibilities.

Austin’s doctors provided an update on his health, including a timeline of events and details ⁢about his treatment.

“Secretary Austin ‌was admitted ⁣to Walter Reed National Military⁣ Medical Center on Feb. 11 ⁣with‌ discomfort and concern from a bladder issue related ‌to his December 2023 prostate cancer⁢ surgery. His condition ⁣indicated‌ a need ⁢for close monitoring by the critical care team and supportive⁣ care. His diagnostic evaluation identified the cause of his bladder issue and it⁤ was corrected with non-surgical procedures on Feb. 12,” the physicians explained.

“He remained ‌in good ⁤condition throughout and no longer needed critical care monitoring on⁤ the morning of Feb. 13. He progressed well and was discharged to his home today. He is‌ anticipated to continue his full recovery,” they added. “The bladder issue was not related to his cancer diagnosis⁤ and will have no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis.”

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder ‍ informed reporters on Monday that Austin will no‍ longer be ‌traveling to Brussels this week for meetings concerning Ukraine and ‍NATO. However, other military officials will participate in the discussions.

Despite⁣ his hospitalization, Austin will still host and deliver opening remarks on Wednesday to a virtual meeting of the Ukraine ‍Defense Contact Group.