Question Period Note: Rapid Testing

• In collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, we have been actively evaluating and acquiring approved point-of-care tests and are prioritizing the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, especially those in rural, remote and isolated areas.

• As of October 26th, 77 GeneXpert instruments had been deployed to First Nations communities across the country.

• We will continue to work with partners to ensure that nursing stations and health centres in First Nations communities have the proper equipment and training procedures to administer these tests.

N/A

If pressed on Point of Care (GeneXpert) devices

• My Department continues to collaboratively work with partners to ensure that Indigenous peoples have access to rapid testing devices.

• Of the 77 GeneXpert instruments deployed, 41 devices are located directly in First Nations. The remaining devices are either in high impact locations where community members usually access health services or to be deployed from central locations.

• Depending on device availability, ISC and NML anticipates to have approximately 115 GeneXpert systems deployed by next spring. Their locations will be collaboratively determined by need and discussions with partners.
If pressed on safety of operations

• ISC continues to work with partners to ensure that health facilities in Indigenous communities have the proper equipment to support these tests, as well as the training procedures required to administer them.

• To date, 33 training sessions have been provided by the MNL to both First Nations and ISC staff in locations implementing the GeneXpert system.

• ISC supports communities with GeneXpert systems, in providing PPE necessary for the implementation of the GeneXpert systems.