Participation, representation, and deliberation in the decision-making process of the Municipal Health Council of Marabá-PA (2018-2020)

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the decision-making process of the Municipal Health Council of Marabá (CMS-M), in the state of Pará, in the period of 2018 to 2020, focusing on the themes that were discussed in the regular meetings that took place during such period. The case study was used as a research method with a qualitative approach that combines primary and secondary sources. The primary sources were obtained through participant observation in the meetings held at the CMS-M and the secondary sources through the analysis of public documents, especially ‘guidelines’ and ‘minutes’ produced. This method is linked to its analysis model, conceived within the scope of this article. As results, the following was found: effective participation of councilors in the deliberative process; institutional rules restricting society’s participation in filing claims and complaints; strong influence of municipal management in the decision-making process of the council; and low response from the municipal government in complying with the deliberations produced in the CMS-M.