Vending
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April 18, 2025
A public health initiative is expanding access to healthcare essentials with the installation of smart vending machines at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada’s second-largest hospital.
The «Our Healthbox,» launched by REACH Nexus with support from BMO and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, provides free HIV self-tests, naloxone kits, harm reduction supplies and sexual health products, according to a press release.
The adapted commercial vending machines feature interactive touchscreens and offer 24/7 access to the resources, along with health information and a local service directory. This marks the 12th Our Healthbox in Canada.
«Our Healthbox is a safe, non-judgmental, and anonymous way for people in our community to access the wellness supplies and support they need to stay safe and healthy,» Katarina Lee Ameduri, director of ethics at Reseau Compassion Network and clinical ethicist at St. Boniface Hospital, said in the release.
The initiative aims to address health inequities by providing essential resources to underserved populations and utilizes real-time data and community feedback to tailor offerings to local needs. Since its inception, Our Healthbox units across Canada have seen nearly 10,000 unique visitors with over 118,000 total visits, distributing more than 48,000 supplies, including over 2,100 naloxone kits.