This audio story, written by Vandana Prasad, highlights the crisis in India's healthcare system, with a focus on how increasing privatization threatens universal access to essential health services. The narrative delves into the systemic neglect of public health infrastructure, rising out-of-pocket expenditures, and the growing disparities in access to care. Vandana Prasad, a public health professional with over three decades of experience in community and policy-level interventions, emphasizes the urgent need for equitable, accessible, and government-supported healthcare to address the nation's public health challenges effectively.