In a statement on 11 November, United States Department of Defense spokesman Ryder said that at around 2.20 p.m. on the same day, Austin was taken by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre with a “bladder emergency”. Austin currently retains his functions and duties as Secretary of Defence and carries with him the unclassified as well as classified communications systems he needs to perform his duties. He has, however, transferred the functions and duties of the office, to his deputy, Catherine Hicks. The statement also highlighted that the United States White House, Congress, the Deputy Secretary of Defence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Army had been notified of Austin’s hospitalisation.
The Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, where Austin was admitted, is located on the outskirts of Washington, not far from the White House. Its website describes it as “the world’s largest joint military medical centre”, with 88 buildings, 244 beds and about 7,000 medical personnel. This means that there are more than 28 medical personnel per bed, which is a very high standard. In fact, Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre is known as the “Presidential Hospital” of the United States, and is the hospital of choice for the President of the United States. Former U.S. President Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon have been in this medical treatment, then President Trump’s new crown rehabilitation treatment is also in this hospital.
This is the third time in two months that Austin has been taken to the hospital for intensive care.
