Voluntary Health Services (VHS), Chennai, is a non-profit healthcare institution providing affordable, ethical, and holistic medical care with a focus on prevention, research, and community health since its inception.
Dr. K. S. Sanjivi, whom many consider as “the father of the primary health care movement in India” was a doyen of the medical profession, a renowned physician and respected teacher – was a visionary who took up the challenge of improving the health care of the underprivileged by conceptualising, starting, and nurturing the Voluntary Health Services (VHS). Dr Sanjivi brought about a major change, by visualising preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and curative care as a continuum of care model.
The Voluntary Health Services (VHS) is based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The institution is registered as a non-profit society under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860. The hospital was inaugurated by the first Prime Minister of India – Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, renowned Agricultural Scientist is the President of VHS.
VHS offers affordable medical care services to people belonging to poorer backgrounds and low income groups based on their health care needs rather than their ability to pay. VHS approaches health care from a holistic perspective laying emphasis on disease prevention, health promotion, fostering and serving the family as a unit, actively promoting community participation and providing affordable care.
VHS also pioneered the model of Mini Health Centers with the aim of providing primary health care services to the poor near their place of residence and promoting community health through trained health workers from within the community.
VHS has been at the forefront of managing comprehensive community health and STI / HIV prevention programs for marginalized population, sexual minorities and deprived groups. Backed by nearly 20 years of wide ranging experiences in implementing HIV / AIDS prevention, care and support programs, building the capacity of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and training health care providers, VHS has built a reputation for understanding and addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities.
To become a trusted center of medical excellence by providing accessible, advanced, and compassionate healthcare to individuals from all walks of life.
Values | Beliefs |
Excellence in Healthcare | – Evidence-based, high-quality healthcare results in optimal outcomes for patients and strengthens the organization. |
Compassionate and Equitable Care | – Providing care and essential infrastructure, irrespective of ability to pay, ensures equitable healthcare. – Compassionate care builds community trust and allows us to touch more lives. |
Collaboration and Innovation | – Leveraging interdepartmental and external expertise leads to better patient outcomes. – Contribution to innovation through the creation of new knowledge is essential to advancing patient care. |
Process and Operational Excellence | – Efficient systems enhance patient satisfaction and organizational growth. |
Progressive work environment | – Respect for each other will lead to a better work environment and stakeholder satisfaction. – Continuous upskilling at every level is essential for individuals to realise their full potential and for the organisation to retain and attract the best talent. |
Integrity | – Integrity earns the trust of all stakeholders and ensures ethical and transparent healthcare delivery. |
Community Engagement and Communication | – Engaging with the community creates awareness and builds VHS’ credibility. – Internal and external communication of VHS’ accomplishments enhances visibility and trust. |
The Voluntary Health Services (VHS) journey began in 1958, when Dr. K.S. Sanjivi, a Gandhian physician, resigned from government service with the conviction that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Supported by visionaries such as Kasturi Srinivasan and M.A. Chidambaram, he established India’s first Public-Private-Community Partnership in healthcare, sowing the seeds of an institution that would transform medical access in South India.
Starting as a modest 30-bed facility, VHS has grown into a 465-bed tertiary referral hospital. Over the decades, national leaders including Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi inaugurated milestone facilities, recognizing the institution’s national importance.
VHS has always prioritized the underserved — with 70% of care provided free or at subsidized costs. Its reach extends beyond hospital walls, through 14 Mini Health Centres delivering grassroots healthcare, maternal services, and sanitation initiatives.
Today, VHS is more than a hospital — it is a living movement of trust, compassion, and ethical service, carrying forward the vision of its founder while adapting to modern healthcare needs.
VHS has earned recognition at both national and global levels for its unwavering commitment to quality and equity in healthcare.
NABH, NABL, and ISO accreditations reflect adherence to the highest standards of safety, diagnostics, and service quality.
The hospital runs DNB programs, nursing education, and skill-development initiatives, preparing the next generation of caregivers.
Long-standing partnerships with the WHO, NACO, NIH (USA), ICMR, Rotary, UNAIDS, and NGOs have advanced both research and public health outcomes.
VHS has been recognized for pioneering community outreach, HIV/AIDS programs, and de-addiction services — blending medical expertise with social responsibility.
Each accreditation and award is a reaffirmation of VHS’s legacy — a promise of quality, credibility, and compassion.
Founded by Dr. K.S. Sanjivi.
Cornerstone laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
First inpatient admitted; hospital operations begin.
VHS Blood Bank launched — a pioneer in Chennai.
OP Block inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Recognized as a Research Organization.
Dedicated Urology services initiated.
Diabetes Department inaugurated, a national trailblazer.
Rajaji Centre for De-addiction launched.
Designated nodal agency for APAC Project.
New Cardiology Block inaugurated.
VHS Cares Rehabilitation Services launched.
Abhimanyu Block (Maternity & Child Health) opened.
Emergency & Trauma Care Centre inaugurated.
Advanced Imaging Suite with CT, MRI, Mammogram & DEXA.
From its humble 30-bed origin to a multi-speciality institution serving over 15 lakh patients since inception, VHS’s milestones stand as a testament to its resilience, innovation, and deep commitment to public service.