Meet J.S. Arora - World Patients Alliance

This section features Questions and Answers with J.S. Arora, 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 October 2025, this is the time to meet J.S. Arora. Patients’ Voice thanks Dr. Arora for sharing his story.

Q&A

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

J.S: I practically got involved in the nonprofit community in 1991

2. Patients’ Voice: What led you to get involved?

J.S: I was regular blood donor organizing blood donation camps since 1985, I came across a close thalassemia patient, which resulted in me working passionately for Thalassemia and Sickle cell anemia

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

J.S: I am a medical doctor and started my clinical practice in 1982 and founded my first NGO National thalassemia Welfare Society (NTWS) in 1991 as president followed by founder secretary of Federation of Indian Thalassemics (FIT) in 1994. I am also founder member of Indian Alliance of Patient Groups (IAPG) and Genomics and Public Health (GAPG) Health Foundation and founder of Patients for Patient Safety (PFPS) India

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

J.S: Satisfaction. The happiness you get when you make others feel happy with your deeds is most rewarding.

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

J.S: To change the mind set of policy makers on how slight changes in policy can save so many lives. Secondly, regarding public awareness that we are generating is beneficial and public at large for all NGOs. Particularly for our NGO thalassemia screening and blood donation fund raising has been a big challenge to convince donors to support our cause

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

J.S: Passion, Dedication and Patience. It takes years to get visible effect/impact

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

J.S: People have started talking about thalassemia. Most importantly, saving the lives of many thalassemics and preventing the birth of new Thalassemics. Change in mindset of many policy makers and public still have a long way to go.

8. 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.

J.S: I was blessed with a son and a daughter both are married and settled, Son in India and daughter in UK. I love reading, especially medical literature