Swan River, Manitoba — The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network led a remarkable three day Hepatitis C (HCV) screening event in Swan River, where 141 people attended and 41 were connected directly to culturally safe treatment
During the three-day testing event (March 24–26), doctors, nurses, people with lived and living experience, their relatives, and front-line workers delivered 3 rapid, point-of-care tests — 47 dried blood spot tests, 37 HCV INSTI screening tests, and 47 GeneXpert tests using portable, PCR-capable machines roughly the size of a printer. These tools enabled on-the-spot confirmation of hepatitis C, allowing many individuals to begin treatment the same day.
Functioning as a mobile laboratory, GeneXpert devices provide confirmatory results for HCV, HIV, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) in just 60–90 minutes—reducing delays, removing barriers associated with traditional lab testing, and ensuring people are connected to care quickly without being lost to follow-up.
The GeneXpert machines were made available through critical support from REACH Nexus at St. Michael’s MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions in Toronto and the PHAC National Microbiology Laboratory enabling frontline teams to bring cutting-edge diagnostics directly into underserved communities which then allow for rapid starts on treatments.
The event was sponsored by AbbVie, with additional support from Prairie Mountain Health’s Primary Care Outreach Clinic, mental health, primary care, and public health teams. Along with testing, the local public health nurses were also able to review immunization records and provided numerous vaccinations during the outreach event. It was delivered in collaboration with key partners, including the National Microbiology Laboratory at the Public Health Agency of Canada, whose technicians supported GeneXpert testing, along with physicians Michael Zhanel, Christine Kennedy, James Rae, and registered nurse Lesley Gallagher.
Additional contributions came from Gilead Sciences Canada, as well as Neighbourly Pharmacy, the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre, and Alltogether-4-IDeas group at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
Located approximately 525 km northwest of Winnipeg near the Saskatchewan border, Swan River is a small town of about 4,000 residents. Like many remote communities across Canada, access to timely, culturally safe healthcare remains a persistent challenge—particularly for those facing stigma, transportation barriers, or systemic inequities.
In 2024, roughly 341 people in Manitoba were treated for Hepatitis C for the entire province in the full year. This event connected 41 individuals (roughly 12% of all Hep C cases provincially) to treatment in just 3 days, in one small community.
“This initiative shows what’s possible when we meet people where they are,” said Chelsea Cook, network coordinator for the MHRN. “We didn’t just test people, we built trust and provided immediate answers, connecting dozens of individuals to culturally appropriate treatment that can change, and even save lives.”
The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRN) brings together people with lived experience, service providers, and community members to advance health, equity, and systemic change for people who use substances. Through education, advocacy, and low-barrier harm reduction services, MHRN works to reduce the transmission of STBBI across the province. In addition to organizing the event, the MHRN team provided point of care, dry blood spot and GeneXpert testing thanks to recent training.
“MHRN played a crucial role in bringing partners together to create an environment where all participants felt valued and engaged. The event not only focused on healthcare education but building relationships with the healthcare system which is vital for ongoing support,” said Laureen Fingas, Public Health Services Manager, Prairie Mountain Health.
The ability to diagnose and initiate care in a single encounter is a “game-changer” in rural and remote settings. Traditional testing models often require multiple visits, long wait times, and travel to distant laboratories, barriers that can prevent people from ever receiving their results or accessing treatment.
“Bringing Hep C testing out of clinics and directly into communities tears down barriers,” said Shohan Illsley, executive director of the MHRN.
“It reaches those facing geographic, social, or systemic barriers, ensuring faster diagnosis and immediate connection to life-saving treatment.”
With GeneXpert technology, results are available within hours, allowing healthcare providers to begin care pathways immediately.
“Everyone in Canada deserves access to timely, accurate testing and culturally safe treatment, no matter where they live,” said Dr. Sean B. Rourke, a scientist and director of REACH Nexus.
“What we saw in Swan River is not just a success story; it’s a transformative public health and community-based model of care. Governments at all levels should be looking closely at how this approach can be scaled to reach more underserved, rural and remote communities across the country.”
The outcomes from the testing event in Swan River highlight the urgent need, and immense potential, for decentralized, community-led healthcare solutions. By combining innovative technology with trusted local networks, initiatives like this are closing gaps in care, reducing transmission, and advancing Canada’s goals to eliminate Hepatitis C and other STBBIs as a public health concern.
“To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time all 3 of these technologies have been utilized in one setting. Considering that the Swan River event happened in this province and in light of what we’re already experiencing within our HIV, Hep C and syphilis epidemics, initiatives like this are sorely needed and should be encouraged. The learnings from this model and engagement could not come any sooner for us,” said John Kim, Chief of the National Microbiology Laboratory's HIV/AIDS Laboratories
About REACH Nexus at MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions
REACH Nexus is a national research group focused on addressing HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) in Canada. Based at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), REACH works to reach the undiagnosed, expand testing options, connect people to care, improve access to prevention (PrEP and PEP), and reduce stigma.
REACH Nexus media Contact
Andrew Russell
Senior Communications Specialist
REACH Nexus - MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions
📧 andrew.russell@unityhealth.to
📞 416-268-7642
