THE HEALTHCARE TIMES

Decentralisation in healthcare refers to the distribution of authority, resources, and decision-making from centralised national or regional bodies to local entities, such as community health centres, hospitals, or even individual healthcare providers and patients. This shift has become increasingly relevant in modern healthcare systems, driven by the need for greater accessibility, efficiency, and responsiveness to local needs. As healthcare faces mounting challenges—such as rising costs, unequal access, and the demand for personalised care—decentralisation offers a promising framework for addressing these issues. However, it also presents significant challenges, including the risk of fragmentation, resource disparities, and regulatory complexities. This article explores the role of decentralisation in modern healthcare, examining its benefits, challenges, technological enablers, policy implications, and future directions. --- ## 1. Introduction In traditional healthcare systems, deci...

  *Definition and Overview - Rabies is an acute, progressive viral encephalomyelitis caused by neurotropic viruses of the genus Lyssavirus (family Rhabdoviridae). It is nearly always fatal once clinical signs appear. Transmission typically occurs through the bite or scratch of an infected mammal—most commonly domestic dogs in many endemic regions, including India. After entry into peripheral tissues, the virus travels centripetally via peripheral nerves to the central nervous system (CNS), where it replicates and causes widespread neuronal dysfunction. 1. Etiology and Epidemiology 1.       Causative Agent o     The classical rabies virus (Rabies lyssavirus) is a bullet-shaped, enveloped RNA virus (~12 kb negative-sense genome). o     Other Lyssavirus species (e.g., Lagos bat virus, Australian bat lyssavirus) can also cause rabies-like disease, but classical rabies virus accounts for by far the majority of human...