Sanitary surveillance: descentralization strategies in Mato Grosso (Brazil), 1996-2005

The decentralization process of sanitary surveillance services to states and municipalities was improved after NOB/96, when funding transferences were defined. In Mato Grosso, this responsibility was incorporated by the Sanitary Surveillance Coordination (Visa/SES) which developed strategies to decentralize at first, the basic actions to all municipalities of the state. The objective of this research is to describe and analyze the strategies adopted by Visa/SES in decentralization of Visa actions to municipalities and the main difficulties found. This research is a qualitative study with documental and interview analysis. The results show as main adopted strategies: several training to professionals from regional, central and local levels; development of technical material to municipals services; assessment with join inspections between three levels of management; creation of law documents. It was observed an active performance in the decentralization, the Visa/SES keeps performing the high and middle complexity actions in almost all municipalities and even those of low complexity, in some, which impede other important tasks as supervision and evaluation of this process, besides continuous support and organization of municipalities services.