Today, TELUS, in collaboration with The Alex Community Health Centre and the University of Calgary, has launched an innovative pilot program aimed at delivering mobile diabetes Point of Care Testing (POCT) directly to vulnerable individuals in Calgary. This initiative utilizes The Alex Mobile Care Clinic, powered by TELUS Health, a specially-equipped mobile health unit that offers a range of primary healthcare services to underserved populations.
In Canada, where one in five people experiencing homelessness also have diabetes, managing the disease poses significant challenges, including a heightened risk of hospitalization. The Alex Mobile Care Clinic, launched in 2022 and having supported over 5,000 patient visits locally, expands its services to include diabetes POCT. This addition aims to meet a critical healthcare need and alleviate pressures on local hospitals.
To raise awareness about these essential services, TELUS and The Alex are organizing a community event on July 9 at The Alex Community Health Centre in Calgary. The event will not only introduce the newly added diabetes POCT services but also educate marginalized Calgarians on the importance of nutritious food and preventive testing. Healthy meals will be provided, and attendees will receive local grocery store gift cards to support their access to additional nutritious food.
Nimmi Kanji, Executive Director of TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and TELUS Social Purpose Programs, expressed TELUS’s commitment to leveraging technology and compassion to improve health outcomes: “Our partnership with The Alex and the University of Calgary allows us to break down barriers to critical healthcare services for marginalized populations. From primary healthcare to mental health support and now diabetes POCT, we are integrating technology with human compassion to deliver healthcare directly to those who need it most, reminding our fellow Calgarians that they are not alone.”
The initiative builds on TELUS Health for Good’s national program, which has already brought primary healthcare and mental health services to 25 marginalized communities across Canada. The launch of diabetes POCT in Calgary was made possible through partnerships with the University of Calgary and the Calgary Diabetes Advocacy Committee, as well as community-based participatory research involving individuals with lived experience of diabetes and homelessness.
Joy Bowen-Eyre, CEO of The Alex, emphasized the impact of the mobile clinic in improving health outcomes: “With support from TELUS and the University of Calgary, our team can extend our reach and enhance care for vulnerable populations. By building resilience, knowledge, and skills among individuals living with diabetes and facing barriers to traditional care, we are taking significant steps toward better health outcomes.”
Dr. David J.T. Campbell, internal medicine specialist and Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, highlighted the mobile clinic’s role in expanding access to diabetes care: “Our mobile program allows us to offer comprehensive diabetes specialty care services to individuals who encounter barriers in accessing traditional hospital-based clinics, building on our previous shelter-based outreach.”
Supported by a $13 million commitment through 2026, TELUS Health for Good has facilitated over 225,000 patient visits in 25 communities across Canada. The program also provides marginalized individuals with free access to TELUS Health MyCarecounselling for mental health support and discounted access to TELUS Health Medical Alert services for low-income older adults.
