Analysis of the structuring of the Health Care Network in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, within the context of Regionalization

Abstract The article analyzes aspects of the structuring of the health care network in the regions of the State of Mato Grosso, and the narrative about them, by institutional actors representing management, service providers and society. It is based on research on governance and regionalization of the SUS in this state, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, the empirical basis of which included secondary data, institutional documents and interviews with key actors representing management, service providers and society. In this research, the focus was on coverage of the Family Health Strategy; availability of health services; workforce; expenses on health. Between 2010 and 2018, despite the improvement of several indicators examined: the supply and distribution of services and professionals reveal regional inequalities; there are financial limitations and a lack of services and professionals. The Health Care Network (HCN) is not structured as regulated, but rather as each region - and its municipalities - interprets and adapts it, according to its installed capacity. The PHC network has promoted advances, but it has not been able to be effective and resolute in terms of health needs, not providing care properly nor coordinating the HCN.