As of 19 November 2025, the Health Technology Assessment Council has completed the evidence appraisal on the assessment of Thermal Ablation for the treatment of premalignant lesions of the cervix among women 30 to 65 years old who are deemed eligible for ablation in accordance to the World Health Organization (WHO) screen-treat approach or screen-triage-treat approach, for possible government financing. The HTA Council hereby releases its preliminary recommendation on the said health technology for stakeholder feedback and comments from 19 November (Wednesday) to 03 December (Wednesday) 2025.

This health technology was reviewed against the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for authorization, clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) [local and approved by the Department of Health (DOH), such as the DOH Omnibus Health Guidelines (OHG); and/or international, but locally adopted guidelines], and existing recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Further, costing analysis of this health technology was performed.

As a preliminary recommendation, the HTA Council recommends Thermal Ablation as a treatment option for premalignant lesions of the cervix among women aged 30 to 65 years old who are deemed eligible for ablation in accordance with the WHO screen-treat approach or screen-triage-treat approach, for government financing. The Council further recommends that the DOH follow the existing WHO Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for thermal ablation indicated in the 2020 WHO Technical Guidance and Specifications of Medical Devices for Screening and Treatment of Precancerous Lesions in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer (Chapter 5) to guide the selection and procurement of this health technology.

For the supporting evidence reviewed and discussed by the HTA Council, please refer to the advisory and the evidence document below.

All comments, inputs, and/or appeals on the above preliminary recommendation may be submitted for the consideration by the HTA Council, through email at hta@dost.gov.ph. Please use the prescribed form for appeals indicated in the official HTA Philippines website [https://hta.dost.gov.ph/appeals-2/]. Appeals not following the prescribed format, and those submitted beyond the deadline shall not be entertained.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the preliminary recommendation, please contact us through the same email address.