INTRODUCTION:
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies strengthening the health workforce as a strategic priority, emphasizing professional qualification and equitable distribution to ensure effective universal health systems. Health residencies serve as a foundational mechanism for in-service training and require robust organizational models for both technical and pedagogical supervision. This study describes the organizational system for supervising health residencies in Ceará within the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS), positioning it as a strategy to enhance training quality and health care delivery.

METHODS:
This descriptive study examines the organization and regulation of residency supervision at the Ceará School of Public Health. The system is governed by Normative Resolution N°03/2019, setting criteria for scholarships, assigning supervisor responsibilities, and establishing mechanisms for integrating teaching and service. Currently, 160 supervisors with state-funded scholarships monitor residents longitudinally, organize curricula, conduct theoretical-practical evaluations, support residency committees, and coordinate with practice settings.

RESULTS:
This organizational system standardized supervisory responsibilities and improved training processes. The state invested approximately BRL 1,885,402.32 in 2025 – an increase of 116% compared to 2024, with BRL 872,671.89 – which enabled the system to retain qualified professionals, integrate teaching with service, and align training with SUS and the population priorities.

CONCLUSIONS:
The organizational system for supervising health residencies in Ceará presents itself as a robust strategy for strengthening the workforce, encompassing the goals of regionalized and decentralized care. By converging with international guidelines for human resource development, this model fosters more equitable, effective, and socially committed health systems.