US defence chief Lloyd Austin released from hospital
- ‘As I continue to recuperate and perform my duties from home, I’m eager to … return as quickly as possible to the Pentagon,’ Austin said
- Austin kept Biden in the dark about his prostate cancer diagnosis for weeks and did not tell lawmakers for days about his January 1 hospitalisation
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has been released from Walter Reed hospital, he said on Monday, after initially concealing his stay there from both the White House and Congress.
Secretary Austin’s prostate cancer was treated early and effectively, and his prognosis is excellent
“I’m grateful for the excellent care I received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre and want to thank the outstanding doctors and nursing staff for their professionalism and superb support,” Austin said in a statement.
“As I continue to recuperate and perform my duties from home, I’m eager to fully recover and return as quickly as possible to the Pentagon,” he said.
Austin, a 70-year-old career soldier, underwent minor surgery to treat the cancer on December 22, returning home the following day.
But he was readmitted after suffering complications including nausea and severe pain on January 1.