Government Ayurveda College was the first Ayurvedic educational institution of India established by the then Maharaja of Travancore, Sri Moolam Thirunal Ramavarma on 18th October 1889. The Ayurveda Hospital attached to the college came into existence in the year 1917 so as to provide practical education to Ayurveda students. The foundation of the current institution was laid down on 12th September 1952 by His Highness Sri Chittira Thirunal Balaramavarma and inaugurated on 14th August 1957 by the then President of India Sri Rajendraprasad. Till date, the institution stands out as an exemplary in Ayurvedic education, health research and healthcare services. The institution is spread over three campuses with the main campus located in a plot of about 6 acres in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram. The hospital has a capacity of 464 beds with 100% occupancy distributed among Male and Female General wards, paying wards and Pay wards. The Outpatient department is a full-fledged and well- equipped section providing specialty care to more than 1000 patients per day. E-Hospital management system have been implemented since 2014-2015 with digitalization of outpatient queue management, consultation, lab services and pharmacy.
Currently, the main hospital provides specialty care concerned around 5 major departments- Kayachikitsa (General Medicine), Salyatantra (Orthopedics and Anorectal), Salakyatantra (Eye-ENT-Orodentistry-Head and Scalp), Nidana (Pathology) and Research OP which is exclusively for the research studies undertaken by PG Scholars from the department of Samhita- Siddhanta, Dravyaguna, Rasasastra and Bhaishajyakalpana. It also provides special OPD clinics such as Neurology clinic, Diabetic clinic, Cardiology clinic, Hepatology clinic, Psychiatry clinic, Oncology clinic, Sports medicine clinic, Diabetic retinopathy clinic, ENT Allergy clinic, Headache clinic and other ample areas of health equity and well-being. The hospital is also provided with a modern Casualty unit and a Dental unit with Ayurvedic and modern facilities and consultants.
The institution is tailored with most advanced biochemistry laboratory equipped with efficient equipments like Hematological analyzers, Automated biochemistry analyzer, immunological analyzers etc. Hospital also have a well-equipped Radiology unit with Digital X-ray unit; Ultrasonography and Electrocardiography. Covid-19 swab collection facilities (RTPCR test) are available in the hospital since October 2020 for Inpatients and Outpatients and a Covid-19 vaccination centre is also functioning under the institute.