The hospital provides tertiary care to more than twenty million people in the southern part of Tamil Nadu.
[1] The hospital is not only centre of excellence in Southern Tamil Nadu but also in the State for various surgeries.
It provides tertiary care with the comprehensive health insurance scheme by the government of Tamil Nadu.
The college was affiliated to the University of Madras and permanent recognition was accorded in 1954.
Selection is based on performance in the NEET.The college offers postgraduate degrees in medical and surgical specialities (Doctor of Medicine, Master of Surgery), Post Graduate Diplomas (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, DCH, DGO, DLO etc.)
Clinical services are provided by the Government Rajaji Hospital which is a 2,518 bedded Super Speciality Hospital providing free health care to people in the lower income group.
The Erskine Hospital was inaugurated in November 1940 by Sir Arthur Hope, the then Governor of Madras.