The Voluntary Health Services

Founded in 1958 by the visionary physician and public health pioneer Dr. K.S. Sanjivi, The Voluntary Health Services (VHS) Hospital in Chennai stands Read moreas a beacon of affordable, inclusive, and community-centered healthcare. What began as a modest X-ray and laboratory center for tuberculosis patients has grown into a well-equipped, NABH (Entry Level) and NABL-certified multispecialty hospital, serving thousands of patients each year with dignity and care. Dr. Sanjivi, a former civil surgeon and a staunch Gandhian, believed that quality healthcare should not be a privilege of the few but a right for all. His vision was rooted in the principle of “service before self,” and he dedicated his life to building a healthcare model that combined clinical excellence with social responsibility. Under his leadership, VHS was established as a non-profit, community-based hospital, offering subsidized and often free treatment to the underprivileged. A Hospital with a Heart VHS Hospital currently has 217 functional beds (out of the original 465) and offers a wide range of medical and surgical specialties, including cardiology, oncology, nephrology, neurology, ophthalmology, paediatrics, and more. The hospital is known for its affordable general ward care and subsidized special ward services, ensuring that no patient is turned away due to financial reasons. Many patients benefit from government health insurance schemes like the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) and PMJAY. • In the Oncology Department, over 54% of patients are treated under CMCHIS. • In Dialysis, about 80% of patients are supported. • In Neurosurgery, around 15% of patients receive help through the same scheme. VHS is well-equipped with: • Centralized 1KL Liquid Medical Oxygen tank • Oxygen generators and bulk oxygen cylinders • State of the art Operation Theatres, ICU and CATHLAB • Advanced diagnostic services, including a NABL-accredited lab, MRI, CT, Digital Mammogram, DEXA scanner, and digital X-ray machines.   Pioneering Initiatives and Community Impact: VHS is not just a hospital—it is a movement for public health and social equity. Some of its pioneering initiatives include: Centre for Excellence in Rare Diseases (C.E.R.D) – offering comprehensive care for children with rare and genetic disorders. Rajaji Centre for De-addiction – providing grassroots-level support for individuals battling substance abuse. Auditory Brain Stem Implant Surgery – a revolutionary procedure for hearing-impaired patients. Palliative Care Services (Adult & Paediatric) – Delivers compassionate care for patients at the end of life. The hospital also runs a non-commercial blood bank, providing free lifetime blood supply to over 300 children with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. Juvenile diabetic children receive free insulin and investigations up to the age of 18, and the Infectious Diseases Department has treated over 20,000 HIV patients, contributing to global research with over 460 publications. Carrying Forward Dr. Sanjivi’s Vision: Dr. K.S. Sanjivi’s legacy continues to inspire generations of healthcare professionals and social workers. His model of voluntary, community-driven healthcare remains relevant today, especially in a world where equitable access to medical services is still a challenge. VHS stands as a living tribute to his ideals—a hospital with a soul, where healing is not just a service, but a mission Round-the-Clock Services: To ensure uninterrupted and comprehensive care, the following departments at VHS Hospital operate 24x7: - Laboratory - Pharmacy - Radiology - Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - Emergency Department - Blood Bank