US Defence Secy Austin resumes duties post 'non-surgical' procedure linked to bladder issue
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has gone through a"scheduled, elective, and minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure" on Saturday (May 25) and has resumed his duties after returning home.
Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks had temporarily assumed the charge as Acting Secretary of Defence when theprocedure was going on.
The procedure took place at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is related to a previously known bladder issue.
In a statement, Pentagon's spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said that Austin has returned home.
"He is now back home and will continue with his official schedule which includes events on Monday for Memorial Day," Ryder said.
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Earlier on Saturday, the Pentagon in a statement said, "The Secretary has determined he will be temporarily unable to perform his functions and duties during the procedure, so Deputy Secretary of Defence Kathleen Hicks will assume the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defence and serve as the Acting Secretary of Defence."
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"As highlighted in a Feb. 13 DoD news release, the Secretary's bladder issue is not related to his cancer diagnosis and has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis. White House and congressional notifications have occurred," it added.
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Austin's surgery to treat prostate cancer
Austin, aged 70, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre on New Year's Day (Jan 1) due to complications arising from a medical procedure.
Prior to this ICU admission, he had undergone minor surgery on December 22 last year following the detection of prostate cancer during routine screening. The secretary faced criticism and sparked political controversy after not disclosing his surgery to the White House as well as his subsequent hospitalisation in January due to complications.Even US President Joe Biden was unaware of Austin's hospitalisation until several days later.
Austin was also hospitalised in February in a Washington, DC hospital in connection to the "emergent bladder issue".
Critics called for his resignation, alleging that the senior government official had violated the law by not reporting his hospitalisation to his superiors. Standard protocol says that high-ranking government officials like Austin should inform the public of planned medical absences in advance and designate individuals who will take charge in his absence.
(With inputs from agencies)