The objectives of these guidelines are:

• to provide evidence-based guidance on the use of thermal ablation to treat cervical precancer; and • to support countries to update their national guidelines for the use of thermal ablation for cervical precancer. These guidelines were developed using the WHO Handbook for guideline development. This document is intended primarily for policy-makers, managers, programme officers, and other professionals in the health sector who have responsibility for choosing strategies for cervical cancer prevention and control, at country, regional, and district levels. Individuals working in reproductive health care programmes, particularly programmes for prevention of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and for family planning, at the district and primary health care levels, should also consult this document to understand how recommendations are developed and why it is vitally important to select and implement evidence-based strategies to prevent cervical cancer