Ferne Health, a women-focused online sexual health platform, has officially launched on 27^th September 2020. The online platform offers home-based self-test kits that screen for cervical cancer and common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

Ferne Health’s sampling tools are HSA-registered and CE-approved, with both sampling tools and testing protocols being clinically-approved. Discreetly delivering the test solutions to your doorstep, the entire screening process can be completed at home, without needing a drop-off at the clinic. All products are currently available for purchase on its website.

Xi Liu, Co-founder of Ferne Health, said “We started Ferne Health to empower people to take charge of their sexual health by delivering convenient, easy-to-use, and effective sexual healthcare solutions. We are kickstarting a revolution for sexual healthcare with our home-testing kits and knowledge hub. Our self-testing kits are a perfect solution to ensure we are all routinely taking care of our sexual health”.

Ferne Health has exquisite range of products catering to sexual health for both men and women and runs lab testing instead of providing rapid test devices. Ferne Health has plans to expand its services to Southeast Asia, targeting Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia markets in 2021. 

In 2018, the Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control (DSC) Clinic’s survey found that the top 5 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Singapore are chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital warts and genital herpes. Ferne Health carries test kits screening for these common STDs and viral infections including human papillomavirus (HPV). For HPV, Ferne Health has a dedicated screening kit which has been proven to detect high-risk cancer-causing HPV strains, including HPV 16 and HPV 18. 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases worldwide are caused by HPV types 16 and 18. With cervical cancer as the 10^th most common cancer in Singaporean women, regular screening is encouraged as cervical cancer is more than 90 percent treatable when detected early.

“STIs can result in anything from a mild inconvenience to very serious conditions including infertility and even some cancers,. If detected early, one can greatly increase the chance of preventing or successfully managing many of these complications", said Vivek Manoharan, co-founder and chief scientific officer, Ferne Health.  

Providing confidence and confidentiality, Ferne Health has also partnered with a network of general practitioners to provide teleconsultations on an appointment basis. The online portal will provide accessibility and privacy for people to address their sexual health concerns. Additionally, Ferne Health has a blog which is constantly updated with sexual health care information.