6 minutes agoUS Secretary of Defense Austin leaves the hospital
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin left the hospital on Monday, after spending two weeks to be treated because of complications following a prostate cancer operation, which he kept secret and didn't tell his senior administration managers or his staff for days. [...]
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin left the hospital on Monday, after spending two weeks to be treated because of complications following a prostate cancer operation, which he kept secret and didn't tell his senior administration managers or his staff for days.
Mr. Austin will work from home until he fully recovers. Doctors said that its <x0nd state of health improved significantly during its stay at the hospital”. The statement also said that cancer was caught and treated in time and that Mr. Austin's prognosis is excellent “”.
In a statement, Mr. Austin thanked the medical personnel and said that “mezi was waiting to be fully healed and return as soon as possible to Pentagon”.
On December 22nd, Secretary Austin, seventy years old, underwent surgery for prostate cases at the Walter Reed National Military Hospital Centre. The disease was diagnosed in early December during a routine checkup. But a week later, on January 1, because of an infection after surgery, Mr. Austin was admitted to the hospital in intensive care.
President Joe Biden and senior administration officials learned about Mr. Austin's expansion on 4 January. Likewise, Mr. Austin kept a secret from having been diagnosed with cancer until January 9th. President Beden has said that Mr. Austin's failure to tell him about his hospital lying was a mistake in court, but on the other hand he said he still trusts the Pentagon chief.
While Mr. Austin was hospitalised late last week, Washington launched a series of military attacks on Iran-backed rebel group Houthi. The attacks targeted dozens of locations of the group linked to its campaign of attack on commercial ships on the Red Sea. Mr. Austin coordinated Pentagon movements from the hospital.
However, the lack of transparency in connection with Mr. Austin's hospitalization has prompted a revision process of administration procedures and the Defence Department on announcing the White House or other officials, in cases when a cabinet member should transfer decision-making authority to his deputy.
The issue also sparked criticism from members of Congress on both sides of politics. Republican lawmaker Mike Rogers, chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Forces Commission, said he has opened an official investigation into the case. Other lawmakers openly demanded Mr. Austin's resignation, but the White House has said the president is not planning to dismiss it.
It remains unclear when Mr. Austin will return to his office at the Pentagon or how health-related issues will affect his work, travel and other public commitments ongoing. Defense Undersecretary Catherine Hicks has taken over some of his daily duties while he is recovering after medical treatment. / VOA
