The Autonomous Society of MGM Medical College and Associated Hospital is planning to convert the old dilapidated building of the King Edward Hospital and Medical School into a `Museum of Medical History of Central India'.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh has given an initial nod for the conversion of the pilot project with an estimated investment of Rs 11 lakh. The Archeological Survey of India has started the assessment work as it aims to ensure that the original design is not disturbed during the renovation work.

The KEH Medical School building was constructed in the year 1848. The Medical School was later re-christened into the MGM Medical College and was known for setting the standards of medical education in the Madhya Bharat region.

Since the construction of medical college in 1948, the KEH Medical School building was abandoned and later taken over by the drug control officials as their city-based head office.

The decision to form the medical museum was taken during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Medical College in 1998, but nothing had transpired till date.

However, in a very controversial manner, the Post Graduate students of the medical college had thrown out the drug department officials, from the old building, in order to attract attention to the project. Since then, the building remained vacant.

According to College Dean Dr D K Taneja, the architectural marvel still stands tall and resembles the rich heritage that the city medicos have inherited. The equipment used in the olden days is still kept safely with the college and would be displayed in the museum.

Since the KEH Medical School would be completing the 125th year, this year, the college plans to complete the renovation and restructuring work before the main function of the celebrations in October 2003. ``The President of India is expected to attend this function and we plan to get the museum inaugurated by him,'' said the Dean.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Archeological Survey of India have conducted a preliminary survey of the building. Efforts would be made to restore the building using the same material used for its construction.

The museum would display the different stages of development of medicine, especially in the Central India. The Medical School was known for `number of firsts' in the world namely the first Forehead Flap for Rhinoplasty, Indore Compost System for disposal of human excreta, first one-stage lithotripsy, first treatment of Fagenda, treatment of leprosy patients in general hospital and several others, said Dr Taneja, adding several successful experimental methods like use of ECG machine for electroretinography, have been conducted here.

The different stages of advancements would be depicted in the museum that would interest even the laymen, the Dean added.