Social control and participatory management in public health at healthcare units in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, 1994-2002

Abstract

Social participation in Brazil has evolved from workers' and union movements into a legitimate process conducted through Social Councils. In the Public Health field this practice was recognized by Law 8142/90. This study aims to analyze the practice of Social Control by Healthcare Unit Councils and its influence on health policies of the municipality of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Five case studies were conducted, with minutes of meetings as the main source of data and a document of ILPES/CLAPS (1975) as reference for analysis. The councils are organized as boards with one coordinator and one secretary. Additional features include parity in composition, fragile representation, and monthly meetings. The decision-making process gives significant attention to technical-administrative and technical-operational elements. From 1998 to 2002, Social Control was made stronger by more effective procedures, but deliberation capacity needs to be strengthened with capacity-building initiatives that include technical, political, and administrative elements, representation, empowerment of society, the wide publicity - also in the media - of Council activities, greater social mobilization, and articulation between Councils and municipal spheres that have an interface with the health sector.