Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in critical care weeks after surgery for early stage prostate cancer.
Austin, 70, was hospitalized Sunday after an “urgent bladder problem” and will remain there until his health issues are resolved, the Pentagon confirmed in a statement.
“Earlier today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was transported by his security forces to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for evaluation due to symptoms suggestive of an urgent bladder problem,” the Pentagon said.
“This evening, after a series of tests and evaluations, the Secretary was admitted to the intensive care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for support and close monitoring.”
Auston is in “critical” care for bladder problems, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was treated for early-stage prostate cancer in December, the Pentagon says
However, the statement added that the prognosis for Austin’s cancer “remains excellent.”
“It is unclear at this time how long Secretary Austin will remain in the hospital. The current bladder problem is not expected to alter his anticipated full recovery,” the Pentagon continued. “His prognosis for the cancer remains excellent. Updates on the Secretary’s condition will be provided as soon as possible.”
On Dec. 22, Austin entered Walter Reed National Army Medical Center for a “minimally invasive surgical procedure” after being diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier in the month, the Pentagon announced at the time.
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Austin returned to the center on January 1 after feeling “nausea with severe abdominal, hip and leg pain” due to a urinary tract infection following surgery, where he remained under “close observation” until the infection cleared.
The Defense Secretary’s latest hospitalization follows a privacy clearance due to health issues earlier this month.
“We didn’t address this right. I didn’t act on this right,” Austin said during a Feb. 1 news conference, speaking for the first time since the surgery. He added that his cancer diagnosis was “a punch in the gut.”
“I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis, and I should have told my team and the American public. I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and the American people,” he continued.
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After being hospitalized over the weekend, Austin turned over his duties to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told NBC News. The White House, the Joint Chiefs, and Congress have also been notified.
Speaking on February 1, Austin corrected his mistake of not informing the White House about his previous hospitalization and health problems.
“I learned from this experience that taking on a job like this means losing some of the privacy that most of us expect,” said the defense minister. “The American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that could affect their ability to serve, even temporarily. Therefore, a wider circle should have been informed, especially the president.”
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Source: HIS Education