1 Purpose and authority
These regulations govern changes of name, premises, activities or Articles, opening branches, merger, dissolution and liquidation. Each change has a separate file identifying authority, approvals, effects and resources. Approval of an internal policy cannot amend the Articles, licence or General Assembly powers.(1)
2 Definitions
In these regulations: “Association” means the public-benefit institution owning them; “institutional change” means a change of name, premises, activities or Articles, branch opening, merger, dissolution or liquidation; “competent body” means the Ministry or local licensing authority according to the change; “General Assembly” means the body competent under the Articles; “restricted funds” means grants and donations earmarked for a purpose and not spendable elsewhere; “legal basis” means the legislation or decision authorising the action; “liquidator” means the person appointed to manage liquidation.
3 Roles and responsibilities
The Board proposes, studies and endorses institutional change and submits it to competent bodies. The Secretary documents notices, minutes and resolutions and maintains a separate file for each change. Legal review checks authority, basis and quorum before commitment. Executive management implements approvals, notifies authorities and updates records. Proposal and endorsement must not be combined in a way that undermines separation of powers. Anyone personally interested in the change discloses that interest and abstains from voting.
4 Proposal and review
The Board studies need, alternatives and effects on patients, staff, contracts, restricted funds, data and obligations. Legal review precedes commitment and identifies the competent body, General Assembly meeting type, quorum and agenda. An extraordinary decision is not reduced to a general agenda item without satisfying its requirements.
5 Branches, premises and identity
General Assembly, Ministry and competent-authority approvals are completed according to the change, alongside premises, safety and licensing requirements before operation. Overseas branches are not opened contrary to the Articles. Authorities, banks, contracts, records and identity are updated after effectiveness is established, retaining earlier versions and the change date.(2)
6 Amending the Articles and merger
An amendment request identifies current and proposed wording, reason, basis and effects, and is submitted to the competent Assembly and statutory bodies. Voting alone is insufficient where authority approval is required. Merger review covers assets, debts, restricted grants, data, staff, service continuity and third-party consents. Obligations and data are not transferred without legal basis.
7 Dissolution and liquidation
Voluntary or compulsory dissolution follows the decision and competent authority. A liquidator is appointed with defined powers, without management encroachment. Assets, rights, debts, contracts and records are inventoried and protected against unauthorised disposal, respecting creditors’, employees’ and beneficiaries’ rights. Association funds are not distributed to members. Remaining assets follow the law, Articles and competent decision.
8 Closing obligations and records
A safe service-transition or termination plan is established and necessary information communicated to affected parties. Financial, regulatory, tax and contractual files are settled. Record custody, retention and access after closure are defined. Data is not destroyed merely because activities end. Approval decisions, handover minutes and evidence of account and licence closure are retained under the relevant authority.
9 Data protection and privacy
Personal data involved in institutional change follows applicable UAE data-protection legislation. Transfer and access are legally based and limited to what is necessary. Data is secured during merger or dissolution and not transferred without legal basis or abroad contrary to legislation. Retention and access rights are defined. Secure disposal occurs after retention expires, not merely on cessation, with disposal actions and their basis documented.
10 Communication and beneficiary notification
Beneficiaries, patients, staff, donors and partners are informed of changes affecting services or rights in good time through documented channels, explaining impacts and alternatives. Confidentiality and regulatory requirements are respected, and notification evidence retained in the change file. On dissolution or cessation, parties are informed of service-continuity or transition arrangements and relevant timeframes.
References in the approved document
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The Association’s approved 2026 Articles of Association, Articles 31, 78–83 and 96. This document establishes internal implementation controls without changing higher legal powers or requirements.
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Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2023 regulating public-benefit institutions and its executive regulations under Cabinet Resolution No. 5 of 2025 concerning branches, amendments, merger, dissolution and liquidation. This document establishes internal implementation controls without changing higher legal powers or requirements.