Situational Diagnosis of Municipal Equity Committees: An Experience Report from the Pet-health Equity Project

Abstract

This article presents an experience report on the situational diagnosis of Municipal Equity Committees (CME) in the microregion of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, within the PET-Health: Equity Program. The analysis was conducted using Strategic Situational Planning (PES), focusing on Moment I – Explanatory. Interviews were conducted with municipal health managers and Primary Health Care coordinators, along with document analysis of regulations and official CME records. The results indicated the absence of formal regulation, a lack of understanding of the concept of equity among managers, and low social participation in decision-making processes. Only four out of six municipalities provided documentary records, highlighting the lack of systematization of CME activities. The experience demonstrated the importance of articulation between education, service, and community to strengthen public policies aimed at health equity. It is concluded that the institutionalization of CMEs, combined with continuous training of managers and encouragement of social participation, are fundamental strategies for consolidating equity in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).