Watan-The US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) announced the transfer of its Secretary, Lloyd Austin, to the hospital again due to “an urgent health crisis in the bladder.”

The department’s spokesperson, Pat Ryder, said in a statement that Austin was transferred to the hospital again due to “symptoms indicating an urgent bladder problem.”

He pointed out that Secretary Austin carried the necessary communication systems to perform his specified and unspecified duties to the hospital where he was transferred.

Ryder confirmed that Austin never lost consciousness and was not under anesthesia, and that his condition is improving, according to CNN.

Austin delegated his duties to his deputy while entering the hospital for treatment, according to the Pentagon.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks assumed the responsibilities of the senior official at the Pentagon. The White House, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Congress were notified.

Second Health Crisis

This is the second health crisis to hit the US Secretary of Defense within a month. On January 5th last month, the Department of Defense announced Austin’s transfer to the hospital on the first of the same month, amid suspicions of cancer.

The swift announcement of the current health crisis was made to avoid the significant controversy that arose during the previous health crisis regarding the delayed announcement of his illness.

It became clear that high-level officials in the country, including President Joe Biden and Pentagon officials, were unaware of Austin’s transfer to the hospital and were informed of it late.

At that time, a representative of the Pentagon Press Corps expressed “concern” about the delayed announcement of this news, describing the delay as “ridiculous.”

Following this, some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, called for Austin’s dismissal from his position.

However, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said in a press statement that there are no plans to dismiss Austin from his position, and that Biden’s priority is the Secretary’s recovery from his illness.