BMO, REACH Nexus, and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR) are proud to announce the launch of Our Healthbox at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. This innovative vending-machine platform provides free access to HIV self-tests, naloxone kits, harm reduction supplies, and sexual health products—because everyone deserves the tools they need to care for their health.
Developed by Dr. Sean B. Rourke, director of REACH Nexus at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital (Unity Health Toronto), Our Healthbox transforms commercially available vending machines into smart, interactive health access points using custom touchscreen technology.
The result is a low-barrier, community-tailored resource that offers free HIV self-tests to help people “know their status,” life-saving naloxone kits to respond to overdoses, essential wellness items (such as menstrual products, hygiene supplies, or seasonal supports like hats and gloves), and harm reduction tools. Each unit also features health information and a service directory to help connect people with nearby care and social supports.
The Our Healthbox at St. Boniface Hospital will operate 24/7, ensuring that people can access critical health supplies whenever they need them—without judgment or stigma.
"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" said Katarina Lee Ameduri, Director of Ethics at Reseau Compassion Network and Clinical Ethicist at St. Boniface Hospital. "We love our community and are passionate about harm reduction and ending the HIV epidemic. We hope people across Manitoba will see our St. Boniface Healthbox as a beacon of hope and care."
Read more the CBC’s coverage here.
