Our Healthbox – Interactive Vending Machine

Overview

Our Healthbox machines give people free, private, and anonymous access to essential health supplies without judgement or barriers.

No ID, personal information, money, or an appointment needed. Anyone (16+) in the community can use Our Healthbox anytime.

What You Can Get

The items in each machine are free and tailored to the community needs. They may include:

  • HIV self-test kits
  • Pregnancy tests
  • Condoms
  • Naloxone kits; these kits are life-saving and available instantly, no profile or sign-in needed!
  • Fentanyl testing strips
  • Other health and wellness resources

Supplies are updated throughout the year and adjusted based by season (cold and warm weather).

How It Works

  • Go to a machine near you.
  • Create a profile using Year-Colour-Animal. Remember this for next time or create a new one if you forget.
  • You may be asked optional demographic questions about your health status and other relevant questions.
    • Your answers are kept anonymous.
    • You can skip questions if you wish.
  • Tap the touchscreen to choose what you need.
  • Collect your items from the dispenser.
  • When finished, sign out of your account.

Our Healthbox machines also provide health information, along with a local health and social service directory without having to create a profile or sign-in.

Where to Find Our Healthbox Machines

  • Behchokǫ̀ – Sportsplex
  • Hay River – Community Centre
  • Yellowknife – Public Library and Stanton Territorial Hospital
  • Inuvik – Airport and Midnight Sun Complex

Why It Matters

Our Healthbox helps reduce barriers to care by making supplies easy to access, safe, stigma-free and without judgement. It supports the GNWT’s response to:

  • Sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis,
  • The ongoing risk of drug poisonings, and
  • Limited access to sexual and reproductive health supplies in some communities

This project is part of a national partnership with REACH Nexus and the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital (Toronto).

Need More Help?

Call 811 anytime for non-urgent confidential health advice.

Registered nurses can answer questions about using the resources provided in the Healthbox and can connect you to local health care services when needed.  For more information on 811 visit: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/811

For more information on Our Healthbox visit: www.ourhealthbox.ca.

Interested in Having an Our Healthbox in Your Community?

If your local organization or government would like to:

  • Host an Our Healthbox machine, or
  • Support an existing Our Healthbox as a partner!
    • For example, funding, donating or providing resources for Healthbox in your community.

Please email and contact the Health Promotion Unit at healthpromotion@gov.nt.ca.

Important to Note: Host sites only provide space for the machines. They are not responsible for supplies, technical issues, or program management. For any technical issues or if the machine is not working, please contact SMRT 1 Health by email (support@smrt1.health) or by phone at 1-343-883-4988.