For example, the Clinton Foundation takes a holistic approach to preventing mother-to-child transmission OF HIV.

“Our first measure is not an AIDS indicator. It’s whether or not we’re increasing attendance of pregnant women in prenatal care and rates of women delivering with a skilled birth attendant. Seeing those numbers rise, will lower the number of children born with HIV and advance maternal health,” he said.

He added, “And it works the other way around. If you invest in maternal health, you’re going to lower HIV transmission by educating girls on reproductive health, getting them into care when their pregnant, helping them to deliver at a clinic, or with an attendant.”

Unfair criticism?

The former president also addressed the criticism by activists and many NGOs that donors are not increasing spending for HIV/AIDS as fast as they have in the past.

“The world is awash in troubles. It is easy to rail at a government and say why doesn’t the government give us more money when they’re giving somebody else money. But the government gets its money in most of these countries from taxpayers who have lower income today than they did two years ago. So, if we’re going to make this case, they have to believe that we’re doing our job faster, better and cheaper. And then we have the moral standing to go ask people to give us more money,” he said.

President Obama has been the target of harsh criticism by those who say he reneged on his campaign promises to greatly boost spending for HIV/AIDS. Mr. Clinton said he understands their concerns, but defended Mr. Obama.