Information about the health councils are important to set strategies that guarantee the their participative management and maximum performance. We aimed to analyze the organization and functioning of the municipal and regional health councils of Fortaleza - CE. It is an exploratory, descriptive study. Data were collected between February and July 2006 and, from February to June 2007 through documental analysis ofcouncil's files and semi-structured interviews with the council staff. In all, 04 representatives of the municipal council and three from each regional council have been interviewed, in a total of 22 councilors. Sampling was randomically done, and participants were volunteer. Data were organized into categories, and analyzed through speech analysis. The study was approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research under the number 04497443-4. Findings showed a low attendance of the regional councilors in the meetings. Councilors mentioned that they had difficulties in understanding their roles. We have perceived that most of both regional and municipal councils have good facilities and staff that allow them to work properly. However, some were considered to be in poor conditions particularly regarding physical facilities, which hinders the functioning, organization and popular participation in the service's management follow-up.
Health Concils; Organization; Participative Management