Meet Edmund Lau - World Patients Alliance

This section features Questions and Answers with Edmund Lau, member, WPA Advisory Board.

Patients’ Voice is WPA’s quarterly Newsletter opening windows to news, activities, interactions and events organized by WPA, its member organizations around the globe and the international stakeholders working for patient safety and quality healthcare.

Patients’ Voice features an interview with the top-tier WPA management in the quarterly issue and in May 2025, this is the time to meet Edmund Lau Patients’ Voice, thanks for sharing his story.

Patients’ Voice: When did you first get involved in the nonprofit world/community?

EL: I first became actively involved in the nonprofit and community sector over 30 years ago, as a young working adult in Singapore. It began with my grassroots voluntary work in a local Youth Club, driven by a desire to give back meaningfully beyond the confines of my professional life.

Over time, this early experience evolved into a lifelong journey of civic responsibility and nonprofit leadership. I progressed from being an executive committee member to assuming the role of Treasurer, and eventually Chairperson in various committees and nonprofit organisations.

I have also served as Secretary and Advisory Board Member in national and international patient associations. These roles provided me with invaluable insights into governance, collaboration, and long-term sustainability, and they laid a solid foundation for my ongoing work as a global health advocate. The early seeds planted in my local community have since grown into a global calling – championing access, equity, and empowerment for patients worldwide.

Patients’ Voice: What led you to get involved?

EL: Living with chronic psoriasis has given me firsthand insight into the physical, psychological, and societal burden of living with a long-term health condition. Over time, I realised that my personal experience was not unique – millions of people around the world were navigating similar challenges in silence.

What pushed me to get involved was the urgency to change that silence into systemic advocacy. I wanted to be a voice for those who were often overlooked by healthcare systems and decision-makers.

The turning point came when I understood that I could bridge the gap between lived experience and policy reform, between personal adversity and collective action. What led me to get involved was not just my own struggle – it was the realisation that I had the skills, passion, and opportunity to help build a better, more inclusive healthcare future for others.

Patients’ Voice: Is your background in nonprofit management or were you involved in a career when you began your work?

EL: My background was not originally in nonprofit management; I was firmly rooted in the corporate world when I began my advocacy journey. For over 25 years, I held roles in business development, sales, marketing, and strategic management across multinational corporations and SMEs operating in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Parallel to my professional career, I began volunteering and serving in various nonprofit capacities, which allowed me to apply strategic thinking, leadership, and operational planning to the nonprofit space.

In recent years, I have complemented my practical experience with formal academic learning. I have completed a Master’s degree in Health Economics and Environmental Management, including a Master’s in Environmental Management from University College London. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in International Law, with a particular focus on international human rights.

To further strengthen my interdisciplinary approach to patient advocacy, I will also be undertaking the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme and a Master of Public Health with the University of Warwick. This programme will allow me to deepen my understanding of public health systems, epidemiology, and health policy development.

Looking ahead, I will continue my academic journey by pursuing a Doctorate in Health at University College London, with the aim of advancing my research and leadership capabilities to more effectively advocate for patient rights, promote health equity, and contribute to the transformation of healthcare systems through inclusive, evidence-based policy engagement.

These qualifications have enhanced my ability to engage with health systems, understand legal frameworks, and advocate effectively in policy and governance settings. My dual journey in business and advocacy has become an asset, helping me to navigate and contribute to both sectors with depth and clarity.

Patients’ Voice: What would you say is the most rewarding part of working with a nonprofit?

EL: The most rewarding part of working with a nonprofit is knowing that your work – whether seen or unseen – can lead to real, tangible change in someone’s life. There is something profoundly meaningful about seeing a patient who once felt isolated and stigmatised find a community, gain confidence, and realise their own capacity to influence the world around them.

For me, the joy lies not in recognition but in impact: being part of a movement that changes policies, creates inclusive narratives, and ensures that people living with chronic illnesses are not just passive recipients of care but active participants in shaping it. Each time I hear a patient say, “I no longer feel alone,” or see a healthcare provider take the time to truly listen, I know that the mission is working. These moments renew my purpose and remind me why this work matters so deeply.

Patients’ Voice: What is the most challenging part of working with a nonprofit?

EL: The greatest challenge often lies in doing so much with so little. Nonprofits must navigate complex issues with limited resources, while also managing expectations from multiple stakeholders – patients, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and donors.

It is a constant balancing act between addressing urgent needs and building long-term solutions. Personally, one of the most difficult aspects has been learning how to pace myself.

As a person living with a chronic condition, there is always a fine line between passion and overextension. Advocating for others while also managing your own health requires discipline, self-awareness, and a supportive network.

Yet, it is precisely these challenges that have made me more resilient and committed. They have taught me to innovate, to collaborate smarter, and to lead with compassion – not just for others, but also for myself.

Patients’ Voice: What would you tell someone who was thinking about working or being involved with a nonprofit health organisation?

I would tell them that stepping into this space is both a privilege and a responsibility. It is not always glamorous, and it certainly is not easy – but it is deeply fulfilling. You will meet people who inspire you, challenge you, and teach you more about the human spirit than any textbook ever could.

If you are driven by purpose, willing to listen, and open to learning from lived experiences, you will thrive. I would also encourage them to approach the work with humility and patience.

Change does not happen overnight – but if you commit to the journey, you will be part of something far greater than yourself. In a world that often overlooks those with chronic illnesses, your efforts could help bring dignity, visibility, and hope.

Patients’ Voice: What are you most proud of because of your work?

EL: I am proud that I have been able to turn my personal condition into a public cause. What began as my own health challenge has become a platform for advocacy, policy engagement, and community mobilisation. I am especially proud of contributing to the development of the “10x Productive Chronic Patient” concept – an idea that reframes how we view people living with chronic conditions.

Rather than focusing on limitations, it highlights our adaptability, productivity, and value to society when we are given the right support. I have had the honour of representing patient voices at global conferences, contributing to health policy dialogues, and supporting capacity-building for patient organisations across regions.

These achievements are not mine alone – they are shared with every patient, advocate, and ally who believes that healthcare should be inclusive, accessible, and human-centred.

Patients’ Voice: If you want, you can share a little bit about you. The number of kids, pets, and anything else that would put a more personal spin on the article.

EL: Outside of my professional and advocacy commitments, I am a proud uncle and grand uncle to a large and close-knit family. My niece recently gave birth to twin girls, adding even more joy to our already vibrant household.

Although I do not have children or pets of my own, my family brings me deep fulfilment, and I find immense joy in nurturing, mentoring, and watching the younger generation grow.

I also consider myself a lifelong learner – currently pursuing additional postgraduate studies – because I believe knowledge empowers action. I live each day with gratitude, knowing that despite the challenges of chronic illness, I have been given the strength, support, and opportunities to create meaningful change for others. That, to me, is the most personal and powerful part of this journey.