Watch: SiGMA Foundation’s commitment beyond borders

March 4, 2025

Watch: SiGMA Foundation’s commitment beyond borders

SiGMA Foundation’s latest initiative in Iquitos, Peru, is more than a hospital expansion project, it is a lifeline to those who have long been neglected by inadequate healthcare systems. In an exclusive interview, Fr. Raymond Portelli, a Gozitan missionary priest and doctor, reflects on his 30-year journey serving the people of Peru, the challenges he has faced, and how SiGMA Foundation, in collaboration with EGT Digital, is making a tangible difference in the community.

A mission rooted in faith and humanity

Fr. Portelli never planned on becoming a doctor. His journey into medicine emerged from a deep need he witnessed firsthand, a healthcare system so fragile that entire communities lacked access to basic medical care. “In Iquitos, healthcare is practically absent in many villages. People don’t get medical attention as they should, and many die simply because help isn’t within reach,” he explains.

Driven by the belief that faith is expressed through action, he pursued eight years of medical studies, determined to bridge the gap between spiritual guidance and physical healing. Today, he leads a hospital that is now undergoing expansion, a project supported by SiGMA Foundation and EGT Digital, ensuring that more patients receive the care they deserve. The project is set to be officially inaugurated on April 12th, following BiS SiGMA Americas, which takes place in São Paulo from 7–10 April. This marks a significant moment in SiGMA Foundation’s ongoing commitment to global humanitarian efforts.

Expanding healthcare access

SiGMA Foundation has long been committed to uplifting underserved communities. In Peru, this commitment has materialised in a €80,000 contribution to expand the hospital’s capacity, adding four new medical rooms and a dedicated garden space for patient recovery. “Thanks to SiGMA Foundation, we are now building the infrastructure needed to treat more people. Every brick laid is a step closer to giving these communities a fair chance at life,” Fr. Portelli shares. Beyond funding, SiGMA Foundation embodies the power of corporate social responsibility, leveraging its global network to drive meaningful change.

Joining this mission, EGT Digital has extended its support, reinforcing its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. By backing the hospital expansion, EGT Digital is ensuring that corporate responsibility goes beyond business, it is about changing lives. This partnership showcases how companies can play an active role in global welfare, contributing not just financially but by aligning their mission with impactful humanitarian efforts.

A drop in the ocean that makes a difference

For Fr. Portelli, this project is not just about building a hospital, it is about restoring dignity. “A businessman once told me, ‘What I am going to give won’t make a difference because there is so much need.’ But if we change even one person’s life, that in itself is something great,” he reflects. He believes that every act of kindness, no matter how small, adds up. “We are all part of one world. If every company took a small step toward social responsibility, the impact would be enormous.”

The expansion of the hospital in Iquitos is just the beginning. As new challenges emerge, so too do new opportunities for businesses and individuals to make a difference. SiGMA Foundation’s commitment to social change does not stop here. Stay connected with their ongoing initiatives. For a deeper look into this project and its long-term impact, stay tuned for the upcoming Issue 32 of SiGMA Magazine, which will feature an in-depth exploration of the hospital expansion and the people making it possible.