U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center following treatment for a bladder issue.
The Pentagon confirmed that Austin, who is the first Black secretary of defense and a retired four-star general, is now resuming his official duties.
The 70-year-old Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and underwent a procedure shortly before Christmas. He was hospitalized on New Years Day, but senior administration officials were not informed for three days, sparking criticism over a lack of communication and transparency.
However, when Austin was admitted to the hospital again on Sunday, his medical condition was promptly communicated to the Biden administration and the public. The Pentagon issued a statement on Tuesday, 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 further added that Austin would recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week. He has full access to the unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties.
Austin's doctors at Walter Reed explained that he was admitted on Sunday "with discomfort and concern from a bladder issue related to his December 2023 prostate cancer surgery". They added, "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."
The doctors confirmed that Austin "remained in good condition throughout and no longer needed critical care monitoring" as of Tuesday morning. They expect him to continue his full recovery at home. They also clarified that the bladder issue was not related to his cancer diagnosis and will have no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis.
Austin, who had to cancel a trip to Brussels for meetings with NATO and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, instead hosted a virtual session from his home on Wednesday. He advocated for further aid to Ukraine as it resists the Russian invasion.
As the conflict nears its two-year anniversary on February 24, Ukraine is in desperate need of ammunition and artillery. This comes as Russia has shifted its economic output to support the war effort. The Wilson Center reported in September 2023 that Russia's military expenditure has tripled compared to pre-war times, with the government planning to spend $160 billion on military needs in 2023, accounting for 40 percent of its budget.
Addressing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of 50 countries supporting Ukraine, Austin said, "Im in good condition, and my cancer prognosis remains excellent." He also stated that the group was focusing on meeting Ukraines most pressing short-term needs, such as "its urgent need for more artillery, ammunition and air defense missiles".
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