By admin 
YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — Patients with appointments at Bio Family Clinic in Yuma were turned away this week after finding closure notices posted at the facility.
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The closure follows the arrest of Dr. Irfan Fazil. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office charged him with defrauding the state’s Medicaid program, money laundering and possession of dangerous drugs.
“Getting told that…that you have to leave one of the best places that has helped you figure out everything with your body, your situation…It’s heartbreaking. I am not going to lie,” one patient said.
The sudden shutdown has left many residents searching for routine doctor visits and non-emergency care, especially in a rural part of Arizona where options can be limited.
Onvida Health Medical Center says it is moving quickly to help fill that gap and connect former patients to providers and services.
“Our mission is to meet the healthcare needs of the community,” an Onvida representative said.
Justin Farren, chief strategy officer at Onvida Health, said the system is adding resources aimed at helping patients who were left without care. He said the hospital has established a dedicated phone line for new patients and is expanding staffing.
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“In the next 90 days, we have 10 that will be joining our team, and that is in addition to the 32 Premier Care providers that we have across the community,” Farren said.
Farren said Onvida has also set up a dedicated station at Foothills Medical Plaza to help connect patients with providers and services. In addition, a new primary care clinic is set to open next week, according to Onvida officials.
Fazil is due back in court in September. Onvida Health officials say former Bio Family Clinic patients can begin calling now to make appointments.
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