By Stevie Smith Jan 15, 2009, 15:19 GMT
Considering the recent upsurge of speculation regarding the health of Steve Jobs, it will perhaps come as no surprise to interested Apple fans that the iconic and influential CEO has today temporarily withdrawn from his duties on medical grounds. In an explanatory e-mail dispatched to Apple’s employees, Jobs outlined his decision to take a five-month medical leave of absence in order to overhaul a recently confirmed hormone imbalance guilty of robbing his body of vital proteins and subsequently leaving him with a drawn and gaunt physical appearance.
Saying that his ongoing health-related issues have become “more complex than I originally thought,” Jobs went on to reveal that although he intends to reclaim his position in June of this year, the bout of medical leave will enable him to focus on his health while Apple focuses on “delivering extraordinary products.”
Fellow Apple executive Tim Cook (COO) will carry the responsibility for day-to-day duties at the Cupertino-based computer and gadget giant in the absence of Jobs, although the departing boss commented that, as CEO, “I plan to remain involved in major strategic decision while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.”
Jobs, who has found himself the subject of health rumours since battling through pancreatic cancer in 2004, recently found his condition placed back at the forefront of media speculation following his sudden decision to miss Apple’s annual Macworld event and the confirmation of the hormone imbalance.
Interpreting today’s announcement and suggesting one possible consequence, UK publication Times Online reports that doctors have said the length of the medical leave could indicate Jobs is facing a major surgical procedure to completely remove his pancreas.
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