Biden before heading for a medical examination yesterday, Wednesday (French)

A medical report stated that US President Joe Biden is “qualified to carry out the duties of the presidency” and that no new concerns related to his health have arisen, after the 81-year-old president conducted his annual medical examination yesterday, Wednesday, as he prepares for presidential elections in which his advanced age is a major issue.

The results of the highly anticipated annual examination, conducted at Walter Reed Army Medical Center outside Washington, came just weeks after a private investigator indicated that Biden was elderly and forgetful.

Biden's doctor, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, said yesterday that the president exercises at least 5 days a week, and is "in a healthy condition that enables him to perform his duties."

"This year's medical did not identify any new concerns," O'Connor added.

This was stated in Biden's annual physical examination note, which showed that he had a root canal last year, and is undergoing treatment for sleep apnea, but is in good health.

O'Connor wrote that Biden still has a stiff gait, but it has not gotten worse since last year.

Biden suffers from “peripheral neuropathy” in both feet, gastroesophageal reflux, allergies, and inflammation of the spinal joints, which is treated with medications.

Biden's health raises voters' concerns (Al Jazeera)

Report and conclusions

“The President is feeling well and the medical examination this year did not reveal any new concerns,” O’Connor wrote. “He remains in a state of health that enables him to fully perform his duties and carry out all of his responsibilities, without any exceptions or accommodations.”

The report stated that Biden is still suffering from a group of minor problems, including: walking unsteadily due to deterioration in his spine, and a minor problem with the heart valve, which has not seen any change since last year.

He added that the "reassuring" and "quite detailed" examination found no sign of neurological problems, including Parkinson's disease or a stroke.

O'Connor concluded his speech by saying, "President Biden is an 81-year-old man who is healthy, active, and strong, and remains qualified to successfully carry out the duties of the presidency."

Anxiety and questions

Biden said, jokingly after the examination, that the doctors believe that he looks “much younger than his age,” at a time when attention is focused on the issues of the president’s physical fitness and mental ability ahead of the presidential elections next November, and Biden added, “Everything is good.”

Biden's typical medical examination comes as voters are increasingly concerned about the age of the president, who will be 86 by the end of his second term.

About 3 weeks ago, the Biden team tried to address the report of special investigator Robert Hoare, which raised questions about President Biden's mental health.

The team confirmed that the comments mentioned in the report are “inaccurate” and “inappropriate,” and that they are politically motivated.

Source: French