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MP Losurutia for burial tomorrow in Kiteto
2007-12-18 09:43:19
By Felister Peter
Kiteto legislator Benedict Losurutia (59), who died at the Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, is expected to be buried at his home village tomorrow.
Dr Batilda Burian, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Parliamentary Affairs) told journalists in the city yesterday that the government was arranging for a plane to transport the MP’s body for the purpose.
She explained that the plane would move the body and some members of the late MP’s family up to Dodoma. From there, the cortege would be transported by road because that is the easiest way to reach the village.
The last respects to the late Losurutia are scheduled to be paid at Muhimbili this afternoon.
The minister said, with the death, the government had lost one of its most experienced politicians, adding: Hon Losurutia was exemplary in contributing to debates on an array of issues during the Parliamentary sessions.”
The late legislator’s second son, David, said his father’s health began to deteriorate early this month. He was taken to Regency Hospital in Dar es Salaam for a check-up and admitted there for 11 days.
The junior Losurutia, a wildlife manager with the Kilimanjaro National Park, said the MP succumbed to complications associated with diabetes and kidney problems.
The legislator had lived with diabetes for more than 20 years and was moved from Regency Hospital to Muhimbili on Sunday afternoon. He died shortly after being admitted to the latter hospital, as his family was finalising preparations to take him to India for further treatment.
Elaborating, David said his father was at first diagnosed with diabetes in 1985 while in Bulgaria for a master’s degree in economics and had been under medical care since.
The MP’s condition began worsening in June 2004 and he was taken to India for specialised treatment, returning in August the same year in much better health.
He developed kidney complications early this year and was taken back to India, where he underwent a kidney transplant.
David said the legislator returned in April and continued with his normal duties, including attending the National Assembly’s marathon Budget meeting and last month’s ordinary House sessions in Dodoma.
Loosurita was born in October 10, 1948 and had served as Kiteto legislator since late 1990. He is survived by a widow and six children.
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