Lloyd Austin to be hospitalised yet again, Pentagon says Defence Secretary will be treated for 'bladder issues'

The US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will be hospitalised yet again to undergo treatment for his bladder issues. The confirmation of the news came from the Pentagon and this will be Austin’s second hospitalisation in three months.

Pentagon spokesperson Maj Gen Pat Ryder said that the 70-year-old would enter the Walter Reed Military Medical Center. After getting admitted, Austin will undergo what he called “a scheduled, elective, and minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure”. Ryder stated that Austin is being treated for his previously disclosed bladder condition.

While he is under treatment, Ryder made it clear that the US Defence Secretary will not be able to “perform his duties”. He informed that Austin’s duties will be delegated to Deputy Defence Secretary Kathleen Hicks.

Not related to Cancer

In the latest statement, Ryder also mentioned that Austin’s bladder issues have nothing to do with Cancer. “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,” the Pentagon said in the statement.

The defence secretary’s health has become a matter of debate after he was admitted to the Walter Reed facility on 12 February, this year. While Austin’s team kept it a secret it was eventually revealed that Austin was being treated for what was then called “an emergent bladder issue”.

Pentgon’s recent announcement followed an outcry in January after it emerged that Austin had spent three days in hospital – including a spell in intensive care – which was not initially disclosed even to US President Joe Biden, the president’s national security council or the US joint chiefs of staff.

After the secret was revealed, Republicans immediately called for Austin’s resignation pointing out that he had been out of action at a time when US forces were facing threats from Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

The Pentagon eventually came out with a statement in which they mentioned that the non-disclosure was partly attributable to one of Austin’s senior staff members being ill with flu at the time.

Frustration intensified further after it was also revealed that Biden was also not informed about Austin’s cancer diagnosis, for which he was admitted to hospital on 22 December.

The White House eventually came out with a statement in which they condemned Austin’s “lack of transparency” but kept him in his post after he acknowledged responsibility. The National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby went on to mention that the episode had prompted a review procedure as well.

With inputs from agencies.