Lloyd Austin released from hospital following ‘bladder issue’

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been released from hospital and is resuming his officials duties, after being admitted to a critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for a bladder issue.

Mr Austin, 70, a retired four-star general and the first Black secretary of defense, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and underwent a procedure a few days before Christmas.

He was subsequently hospitalised on New Year’s Day, though senior administration officials were not made aware for three days – prompting widespread criticism regarding a lack of communication and transparency.

On Sunday, Mr Austin was admitted to hospital once again – and this time his medical issue was widely communicated to the Biden administration and the public.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Pentagon gave a new update, saying that he had been discharged.

“Following consultation with medical staff, Secretary Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today at approximately 3:30 pm,” the statement read.

“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.

“On the advice of his doctors, Secretary Austin will 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.”

The secretary’s doctors at Walter Reed said that he was admitted on Sunday “with discomfort and concern from a bladder issue related to his December 2023 prostate cancer surgery”.

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