HHS Works Toward Healthcare Kiosk Relaunch

Back in May, Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services (WCHHS) secured one of few coveted "Test and Go" healthcare kiosks in the state. The 6'4" box that sits on the porch below the Cathlamet Public Library was the first of its kind in Wahkiakum County, operating 24-hours a day, and eliminating the need for office hours or face-to-face interactions with health care practitioners.

Many products within the kiosk are already available at no cost at HHS campuses, but the kiosk offers the privacy and convenience that many residents have enjoyed. In fact, a total of 731 Covid tests and Covid/Flu combo tests were dispensed within the first 6 months.

The kiosk holds harm reduction products ranging from tampons and pads to NARCAN (otherwise known as naloxone). Harm reduction works in concert with WCHHS programs, such as youth prevention and substance use counseling, by saving lives and offering an opportunity to reach people who aren't otherwise accessing these services. Since its installation, every type of harm reduction product available to the community has been dispensed.

While the kiosk has proved helpful beyond staff's hopes, Stacy Wynn, the Public Health nurse for WCHHS, shared that the funding for it is going away. "This was a hugely successful program across the state," Wynn revealed. "Unfortunately, DOH has decided not to proceed with it past the New Year." On December 31st, the state healthcare kiosk program will come to an end, but WCHHS is already looking for a way to keep the service going.

"This has been really big for our little community," Wynn commented. "And we can tell from the number of products dispensed that it's something the community really needs."

While WCHHS is working to find a new kiosk, residents are encouraged to keep dispensing products. "Most products will remain available until midnight on December 31st," Wynn stated, "Residents can still get them through the kiosk until then. And of course, many of these products are always available through the health department."

To find out more about free harm reduction products available through Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services, please call 360-795-6207.