New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) Proposing to increase the allocation for the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) from Rs 8,207 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 9,947 crore in 2007-08, Finance Minister, P Chidambaram today said major emphasis would be on mother and child care and prevention and treatment of communicable diseases like TB and malaria, presentsing the Union Budget 2007-08 in the Lok Sabha today, Mr Chidambaram said Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) systems were being mainstreamed into the health delivery system at all levels.

Polio eradication programme has been integrated with NRHM and Rs.1290 crore allocated to this with the aim to eradicate polio from the country.

He also said the Government brought HIV/AIDS out of the closet and promised bold determined efforts to achieve zero-level growth of the disease.

The epidemic will be deemed 'stabilised' if the prevalence rate is less than one per cent of the population.

The Finance Minister announced that the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP)-III, starting in 2007-08 would target the high risk groups in all the States. More hospitals will provide treatment to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child.

Mr Chidambaram also proposed to step up the provision for the AIDS Control Programme to Rs.969 crore in 2007-08.

UNI