It is simple known all over the world as CMC, Vellore. There is a sad story behind the desire of Ida Scudder to start a hospital at Vellore. When she was on a visit to her medical missionary father Rev. Dr. John Scudder in South India, she was asked to assist in the difficult childbirth of three women from different families. The conservative custom in those days prevented the husbands from asking her father to help in the labor as he was a male. As Ida was not trained, she could not contribute much by way of help. The next morning, she was shocked to that all three women had died. She thought that it was a calling and decided to study medicine, though it was unheard of women studying medicine in those days. She passed out from Cornell University in 1899.

Soon afterwards, she returned to India and started a one-bed clinic in Vellore in 1900. This marked the beginning of CMC, Vellore. In 1902, two years later, she started a 40-bed hospital.In1909, she started the School of Nursing, and in 1918, a medical school for women was opened. CMC has grown to a renowned hospital now with more than 2200 beds. The hospital now caters to 3000 out-patients, conducts more than 55 surgeries, and attends to more than 30 childbirths every day. The hospital has India´s first department of neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

The hospital conducts bone-marrow transplants, dental procedures, chemotherapy, kidney transplants, dialysis, and open heart surgeries and other procedures. It does even dental procedures and eye operations.

The college is one of India´s best medical colleges and has been given a five star rating by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

Government Eye Hospital, Chennai

The Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital is commonly referred to as the Egmore Eye Hospital. It is the oldest eye hospital in the Indian Sub Continent and in Asia. It was started in 1819 and is the second oldest eye hospital in the world, next only to Moorfield Eye Hospital in the United Kingdom.

It was known as the Madras Eye Infirmary when it was started by Dr. Richardson when it was first started to treat the soldiers when there was a increase in eye diseases among them. In 1820, the hospital was shifted to its present location at Egmore. Buildings and blocks were added slowly and the hospital slowly grew to a dedicated eye hospital .It was renamed as Government Ophthalmic Hospital. Egmore Eye Hospital is now a teaching hospital and associated with the General Hospital. It offers complete eye care 24 hours a day to the poor and the needy.

The Eye Hospital serves as a regional centre for eye donation services and is an eye bank.

It conducts Eye Camps across the region and creates awareness for prevention of eye diseases among the poorer sections of the society.

The hospital has a about 500 beds with 50 exclusive beds. It offers services for the management of external eye diseases. Other services include Cornea, Glaucoma and Retina Care. It has a contact lens unit also.

Institute of Obstertrics and Gynaecology Hospital for Women & Children

This hospital was started in July 1844.It is situated near the museum in Egmore. As the name suggests, it caters only to women and children and is provided with 752 beds. Pediactrics, Obstertrics, Gynaecology, and Oncology treatment is provided at this hospital. Blood bank facility is available.

Govt. Kasthuribai Gandhi Hospital

This hospital is located in Triplicane, and is one of the most well maintained government hospitals in Chennai. It provides medical treatment exclusively for women. The bed strength is about 695. Specialty treatment like Pediactrics, Obstertrics, Gynaecology, Neonatology, and other ailments are treated at this hospital.

Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children

This hospital was started in 1948, and often referred to as "Baby Hospital". It is located near the Egmore Railway Station. The bed strength is about 550.All pediatric services are available including immunization. The Department of Pediatric Orthopedic offers treatment for fractures, congenital foot deformity correction, Physiotherapy for children with cerebral palsy, Medical and Surgical management of TB spine. There is a scheme by which Cardio Thoracic Surgery is being done to the needy children right from new born child to the child up to the age of 12 years.

Govt. Institute of Mental Health

This institute is more than 200 years old. It was started in the year 1794, and is located in Kilpauk in about 25 acres of land .It started off with just 20 patients. Today, it has more than 1800 patients. The Institute of Mental Health is the second largest Institute in India, offering mental health services Tamil Nadu Out patient facility is also available.