ABU DHABI // As the new FNC members took their oath, Ghareeb Al Suraidi, elected from Fujairah, was notably absent.
Mr Al Suraidi, 50, suffered a heart attack recently while on holiday in Ukraine.
His cousin Dr Sultan Al Moazen, a former FNC member, said he had been with Mr Al Suraidi in Ukraine. A day after he left for Turkey he received a call saying his cousin was in hospital.
"This happened about two weeks ago," said Dr Al Moazen, 31, who spoke to Mr Al Suraidi on Monday. "He was initially in critical condition but he is OK now."
He said Mr Al Suraidi, an engineer and businessman who had campaigned for better health care in Fujairah, was hoping to get approval to fly back to the UAE within 10 days. Two of his brothers remain with him in Ukraine.
"Of course, he wanted to be here for the first session, but it is all up to Allah and what is written," Dr Al Moazen added.
The new FNC member, one of two from Fujairah, has stayed in touch with his constituents during his absence.
Abdullah Al Antali, 33, a businessman who voted for Mr Al Suraidi, said the member was recovering well and had permission from the FNC to be absent.
"He said, 'I'm good but the doctor told me to rest'," said Mr Al Antali, who spoke to him by phone two days ago.
Mr Al Suraidi won top place in the September 24 ballot, with the support of 436 of the 2,167 who voted in Fujairah.
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, an appointed member from Abu Dhabi, confirmed his colleague's absence was "due to health reasons".
In his election campaign Mr Al Suraidi, whose father and grandfather were chiefs of Al Saridi mountain tribe, called for the modernisation of mountain villages and better health care.
"Health is one of the biggest concerns we have in Fujairah, where people are actually scared to do any major operations at a Fujairah hospital," he said.