Washington [US], July 9: The White House has denied that President Joe Biden has Parkinson's disease after reports emerged that a neurologist visited the White House eight times in eight months.
"Has President Biden ever been treated for Parkinson's ? No. Is he currently being treated? No. Is he taking Parkinson's medication? No," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing on July 8, according to AFP.
Previously, The New York Times cited a White House visitor log showing that a Parkinson 's specialist had visited the White House at least eight times from August 2023 to March this year.
Dr. Kevin Cannard, a neurologist and Parkinson's specialist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (which treats US presidents), has visited the White House eight times, according to the information. He is also a co-author of a study on early treatment of Parkinson's at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Cannard met with White House physician Kevin O'Connor in mid-January.
Concerns about the possibility of President 'Bidens illness arose during the June 27 debate with his rival Donald Trump, when Biden appeared tired, hoarse and repeatedly stopped mid-sentence.
Mr Biden is brushing aside criticism and calls for him to withdraw in favour of another candidate to run against Mr Trump on November 5.
Spokesperson Jean-Pierre would not confirm or comment on Mr. Cannard's visits. At the press conference, she was repeatedly questioned by reporters and did not reveal the doctor's identity, wanting to respect everyone's privacy for security reasons.
Ms Jean-Pierre said President Biden has met with a neurologist three times as part of his annual physical . The spokeswoman suggested the doctor may have been visiting the White House to treat some of the military personnel who work there. "There are thousands of military personnel who come to the White House and they are receiving medical care," the spokeswoman said.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper