WASHINGTON (AFP) – United States (US) Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was released from hospital on Tuesday, after undergoing treatment under general anaesthetic for bladder issues as he battles prostate cancer, the Pentagon said.
“He is recovering well and resumed his full functions and duties today at 5pm… Secretary Austin will recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week,” his office said in a statement.
Austin’s latest health scare came weeks after it emerged the 70-year-old had kept recent hospital stays secret and had not promptly informed US President Joe Biden of his cancer diagnosis, sparking widespread criticism.
The White House and Congress have been notified of his return to work, the Pentagon said.
The statement quoted doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington who said Austin had been admitted Sunday 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 February 12,” they said.
“He remained in good condition throughout and no longer needed critical care monitoring on (Tuesday morning)… He progressed well and was discharged to his home today.”
The statement echoed previous Pentagon explanations that the bladder issue was unrelated to the cancer itself, but rather to the treatment of it.
