[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.