US defence secretary to undergo non-surgical procedure, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON – US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will turn over his duties temporarily on May 24 while he undergoes a non-surgical procedure related to his previously reported bladder issue, the Pentagon said.

Mr Austin has determined he will be unable to perform his duties during the minimally invasive procedure and Deputy Defence Secretary Kathleen Hicks will assume them, the Pentagon said in a statement.

The Pentagon said the bladder issue is not related to Mr Austin’s prostate cancer diagnosis and “has had no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis”.

The White House and Congress have been notified, it added.

In February, Mr Austin was hospitalised to address the bladder issue. The hospitalisation came after he underwent surgery to treat prostate cancer in December.

The Defence Secretary

triggered a political uproar after failing to disclose his surgery

to the White House, as well as a subsequent hospitalisation in January to deal with its complications. Even President Joe Biden did not know Mr Austin was in the hospital until days later. REUTERS