Head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin a month ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but the US PresidentJoe Biden He was not told he had the condition until this point. Tuesday morning.

Biden also did not know until today why the Secretary of Defense hospitalized for several days due to a urinary tract infection after surgery for prostate cancer, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman.

The controversy over hospitalization continued on Tuesday. new discoveries about Austin’s healththe first African-American secretary of defense and below Biden in the US military hierarchy.

In a statement released Tuesday, doctors treating the defense minister in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Where he was hospitalized, the reasons for his hospitalization were announced, including his stay in intensive care.

In a statement, the doctors explained that during preventive examinations in early December they discovered that Austin suffered from prostate cancer and needed treatment.

As a result, on December 22, Austin was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington, where he will undergo treatment. a “minimally invasive” surgical procedure known as a prostatectomy.intended for the treatment of prostate cancer.

In December, Austin was under general anesthesia.

To carry out this procedure, Austin was placed under general anesthesia. remained unconscious without the White House notifying him, Kirby said during a news conference Tuesday.

The day after surgery, Austin was able to return home. However, on the night of January 1, he returned to the hospital due to complications resulting from the intervention, Doctors detailed that this included nausea and severe pain in the abdomen, hips and legs.

Tests showed that Austin suffered from a urinary tract infection.Therefore, on January 2, the decision was made to transfer him to the intensive care unit (ICU).

The Pentagon said in a statement yesterday Monday that Austin was no longer in the ICU, however, the length of time that the Secretary of Defense required such assistance due to his health condition has not yet been disclosed.

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According to doctors, since his admission on January 1 Austin never lost consciousness and was not subjected to general anesthesia.

For its part, the Pentagon said that Austin resumed his duties on the evening of January 5th. and has since received operational information, issued orders and monitored situations around the world, including the war in Ukraine and the danger of large-scale conflict in the Middle East.

Hospitalization sparks controversy because Austin did not inform Biden of his entry until January 4three days after it arrived, and the Pentagon did not issue a press statement updating the situation until the next day, January 5th.

Some members of Congress claim they were not informed of the situation a few minutes before publication this statement dated January 5th.

Austin has been self-critical, and on January 6, the day after his hospital stay became public, he acknowledged that he understood concerns about transparency and He admitted he could have “done a better job.” ensuring proper public information.

White House supports Austin, but reconsiders his protocols

Despite criticism for a lack of transparency, the Pentagon said Tuesday that Austin has no intention of resigning from his position.. In addition, the White House expressed support for the Secretary of Defense, wishing him a speedy recovery.

However, the White House admitted that Biden would like to know about Austin’s health problems. a four-star general with a low-key personality who prefers not to “bore” others with his problems, local media reported.

In particular, the White House said the Pentagon waited until Tuesday morning to inform Biden’s chief of staff. Jeffrey D. Zientsabout Austin’s cancer, and the President was immediately informed.

Therefore, as the White House confirmed, Biden did not know until Tuesday why Austin had been hospitalized since last week. at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington.

There are no fixed rules regarding What should you do in such situations? But overall, the White House has indicated that Biden “expects” to be briefed if members of his government are unable to carry out their duties.

As a result of the controversy, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday that will conduct an internal review to enhance transparency.

Likewise, the White House on Tuesday sent a memo to cabinet members urging them to keep their office in the loop. in case of inability to perform their duties.

Austin, 70, remains hospitalized and the Pentagon has not released information about when he could be discharged.

(EFE)