A 45-year history of aborting babies ended for abortion provider Ali Azima on September 3, 2021.
Azima closed his Port Charlotte, FL, abortion facility that day, Community Pregnancy Clinics (CPCI) of Naples, FL, reported in an email statement to supporters.
The website for Azima’s multi-site medical practice (Southwest Florida Women’s Clinic, Inc.) states that he is retiring, noting as well that, “We have lost our lease in North Fort Myers due to the protestors,” and refers visitors to the Port Charlotte office.
Local Florida pro-life groups have diligently prayed for life to prevail and have been available to women for healing and alternatives, and they now rejoice in the news of Azima’s abortion facility closing.
Pro-life supporters also say the Azima’s case demonstrates how important it is for abortion facilities to be brought under scrutiny.
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CPCI credited staff and volunteers, as well as the services and prayer of pro-life heroes with the end of Azima’s abortion practice.
“Thanks to the countless local supporters who came out and gave of their time, talent and treasure, the tragedies taking place within Azima’s clinic were brought to an end prayer fully and peacefully,” the pregnancy help medical clinic said.
CPCI asked supporters to join in prayer, “for God’s mercy on Dr. Azima and for the grace of his conversion.”
The group also expressed gratitude to local business that allowed them to park their mobile unit adjacent to the abortion facility and sidewalk counselors.
Through their efforts, CPCI said, “We saw many women forego their abortion appointment and instead came into our clinic where they received a free ultrasound on the spot.”
CPCI, along with Pregnancy Careline Center Inc., now merged with Pregnancy Solutions, both in of Port Charlotte, and many other pro-life individuals all share in this victory.
“For over five years, CPCI has been deeply invested in providing life-saving care and alternatives to Azima’s clients thanks to our mobile medical clinic,” the group’s statement said.
CPCI said further, “We recognize that this victory could not have been accomplished on our own. An ecumenical movement arose to end this evil through prayer and sacrifice.”
Reprotection, Inc., a national group that investigates allegations of unsafe abortion providers, had filed complaints on Azima’s abortion practice with the Florida Department of Health, the state’s elected officials and the governor’s office.
They alleged in the complaints that Azima was a grave threat to Florida women who came to him for abortions.
The Florida health department opened its own investigation into Azima’s practices, shortly after which the abortionist shut down his abortion facility, The Daily Wire reports.
These investigations revealed an extensive history of medical negligence, including a previous medical license suspension. The clinic was even operating without an abortion facility license.
The year-long investigation by Reprotection included reports of Azima demonstrating mental and physical impairment, lack of proper medical protocols, such as not getting a patient’s medical history prior to performing surgery, incomplete abortion surgeries, not complying with post-surgical protocols and implanting birth control devices in pregnant women causing them to have emergency abortions.
Additionally, witnesses outside the abortion facility saw a partially undressed woman run from the building with blood running down her legs. Sidewalk counselors helped the woman obtain emergency medical care. This event led to the Reprotection investigation.
Leadership for Heartbeat International, the world’s largest network of pregnancy help organizations, welcomed the closure of Azima’s abortion facility and any effort to keep women and children safe from abortion.
“Azima is just the latest revelation of abortionists being dangerous to women as well as the babies they abort,” said Heartbeat International President Jor-El Godsey. “We’re grateful to Reprotection in safeguarding the community. But the laws protecting against preying on women for profit should be enforced actively and effectively.”
The Thomas More Society provided legal assistance to Reprotection in filing complaints against Azima.
Matt Heffron, Thomas More Society senior counsel, remarked to The Daily Wire about how the Azima case underscores the lack of oversight of abortion facilities.
“This highlights a question that must be answered,” he said. “Why do so many governmental units avoid their duties to regulate abortion facilities?”
“If Azima had been in any other business, you can be assured there would have been swift action to protect the public,” Heffron said. “The fact that he was still in business after so many complaints and verified violations is astounding.”
The outcome of the Florida health department’s investigation remains to be seen.
While the closure of this facility is wonderful news, even better is the hope brought to women through the compassionate care offered through the pregnancy care facilities in the area, before and after the abortion facility’s closing.
Among them, CPCI has clinics in Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Gainesville and two mobile units serving Naples and Fort Myers. Pregnancy Solutions clinics in Venice and Port Charlotte also provides options for women experiencing pregnancy in difficult life situations.
Anne Camille Talley previously served on the board for Pregnancy Careline Center and is now on the board of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG).
With the closing of Azima’s facility, Charlotte County no longer has an abortion clinic. Talley reflected on Azima and his legacy in the area for Pregnancy Help News.
“Ali is a man who occasionally asks about meeting a pastor, going to church,” she said. “His justification for doing abortions is that they are legal.”
Talley shared how faithful individuals have long prayed for Azima, and should he want support in coming to terms with a 45-year history of performing abortions, he would find compassion from this community of pro-lifers.
She praised the pregnancy help community in Charlotte County and described the services of Pregnancy Solutions.
“All free, all loving services,” Talley said. “Women come in for resources for their baby through two years of age and they return with subsequent pregnancies.”
Like other pregnancy help centers, they offer training for new parents, free ultrasounds, material aid, and a “Rookie Dads” program where there is a staff member who is a dad himself.
“They want to grow strong families in Charlotte County,” Talley said.
She and others credit the prayer efforts and the vigorous work of pro-lifers in Southwest Florida who simply sought God to end abortion in their area.
"The community of Port Charlotte and surrounding areas are poised now more than ever, standing together to reach and serve women and families by empowering them with life-affirming services,” said Beth Diemert, director of Affiliate Services for Heartbeat International. “They are truly the help women need. Clients can feel confident in knowing they will receive the love and support they are looking for, for themselves and their baby."
