It operates as a 1200-bed tertiary level center with a 24-hour emergency department and coronary care unit.

Originally named after M. A. Muthiah Chettiar, the Raja of Chettinad, it was renamed in 2021 and reaffiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University as it was handed over to the Health and Family Welfare department.

Rajah Muthiah Institute of Health Sciences was established in the year 1980 with the opening of a dental college which inaugurated by Ramaswamy Venkataraman the President of India.

[2] In 1996, RMMC was the location of the murder of Pon Navarasu during a ragging incident, and led to the passing of the first anti-ragging legislation in India.

[3] In 2010, the Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme for Life-Saving Treatments at RMMCH was instituted.