This paper analyzes the work force of the Brazilian Ministry of Health and associated entities -the health regulatory agencies and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation -from 2000 to 2008, focusing on the quantitative evolution and types of employment relation. The methods involved a bibliographical review, documental analysis and analysis of primary and secondary data. The results suggest that since 2003, there has been an increase in civil service admissions. However, the increase in active federal health workers was lower than the average increase of the Federal Executive. Differences were found in the staffing situations of the Ministry of Health and of the associated entities. The central office of the Ministry benefitted only slightly from the civil service admissions and remained dependent on professionals hired as consultants or by temporary contracts. The health regulatory agencies have benefitted from civil service admission examinations since 2005, but at the end of the period there was still a large proportion of workers employed under alternative types of engagement. Meanwhile at Fiocruz, despite the increase in the number of civil servants, there was a greater increase in the number of workers employed under other types of contracts. Finally, the challenges involved in forming a stable and adequate federal work force are discussed, considering that in Brazil the federal government plays a fundamental role in consolidating the Unified Health System (SUS).
health policy; federal civil service; health workers; Ministry of Health; health regulatory agencies; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation
