Press Release
June 2, 2022
The United States Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. to the Republic of Botswana Amanda Jacobsen gave the keynote address today at the official launch of the #KnowNow campaign. A gift from the American people, #KnowNow offers a free platform that individuals can use to take charge of their health online.
Working closely with the Ministry of Health, the #KnowNow campaign reminds everyone that it is easy and convenient to access health services online. Using the website www.quickres.org, individuals in Botswana can make an appointment right from their phones or computers to avoid long queues at the clinic. Users can also take a confidential quiz to figure out their risk for HIV or other infections. In addition, individuals can ask for protection against gender-based violence and send a message to a health professional to get questions answered online. The platform even offers free delivery of condoms to one’s home.
Online services are even more crucial in the time of COVID. This cutting-edge technology helps take Botswana further into the digital age of healthcare, and the #KnowNow platform at www.quickres.org is a major resource in the country’s continuing fight against HIV, COVID, tuberculosis, cervical cancer, and more. The #KnowNow campaign is especially important in reaching marginalized members of society, including female sex workers and men who have sex with men, who face higher rates of HIV and greater stigma when trying to access health services.
“Let’s make sure that there are many different and creative ways for everyone in this country to access health services,” encouraged Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. Jacobsen at the launch event. #KnowNow offers maximum privacy and convenience to make sure health needs are met.
#KnowNow has been brought to Botswana by FHI 360’s EpiC project, funded by the U.S. Government through PEPFAR and USAID.
