The objective of this study is to analyze the technological organization of the work process of leprosy as done by the health workers in the Brazilian Public Health System service units in the municipalities of the Almenara micro-region, in the state of Minas Gerais. This qualitative research was carried out in nine municipalities utilizing semi-structured interviews and document research to collect the data. Forty-five interviews with care providers and health managers were conducted between November, 2007, and February, 2008. Content Analysis was utilized to analyze and treat the data, with results that indicate that physicians still maintain curative and individual care; that nurses dominate the whole process of working in leprosy; and that community health agents carry out educational activities, searching for dermatological symptoms, contacts, and defaulters. We conclude that the current organization of services shows that there is still weakness in the work process in leprosy in order to accomplish the collective approach to the problem
Leprosy; Prevention & control; Primary health care; Nursing