New Delhi: Protection Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III was hospitalized on Sunday afternoon with an “emergent bladder difficulty”, in line with an announcement from the Pentagon. He has transferred his duties to Deputy Secretary of Protection Kathleen Hicks whereas he undergoes remedy. The assertion, issued by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, stated that Austin was taken to Walter Reed Nationwide Navy Medical Middle at round 2:20 pm by his safety element. He was seen for signs suggesting a bladder drawback, which may very well be associated to his earlier prostate most cancers surgical procedure.
Ryder stated that the Deputy Secretary of Protection and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers had been notified of Austin’s situation, in addition to the White Home and Congress. He initially stated that Austin would retain his duties as protection secretary whereas within the hospital, however later up to date that Austin had transferred the capabilities and duties of the workplace to Hicks.
Austin, who’s 71 years outdated, was recognized with prostate most cancers in 2020 and underwent surgical procedure in January 2021. He was hospitalized for 2 weeks following problems from the operation, together with a urinary tract an infection. He returned to work in-person on the Pentagon on the finish of January, and stated that he was nonetheless recovering.
Austin is the primary African American to function the protection secretary, and was confirmed by the Senate in a 93-2 vote on January 22, 2021. He’s a retired four-star common who served within the Military for 41 years, and was the commander of the U.S. Central Command from 2013 to 2016.
Austin was scheduled to journey to Brussels, Belgium, this week for a gathering of the Ukraine Protection Contact Group, in what can be his first abroad journey since his preliminary hospitalization. It’s unclear if he’ll be capable to attend the assembly, which is geared toward addressing the safety scenario in Ukraine amid Russian aggression.