(Santa Ana)  - The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) reminds the public of the dangers of  receiving medical diagnosis, treatment, and/or medications from unlicensed healthcare providers.

A 54-year-old Santa Ana man, who sought assistance from a Van Nuys faith healer for a persistent rash, recently died after receiving an injection containing an unidentified substance. 

Many county residents seek the medical attention of unlicensed providers through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and/or family or through various ethnic publications which cannot substantiate the medical claims posed in their advertisements.  The illegal health services offered through these providers are unsafe and may even cause death.

Along with visiting unlicensed providers, many also purchase medications from across the border or from illegal, back-room stores without knowing the serious side effects or interactions they may have with the medications they currently take.  Consumers are urged to seek medical advice from a licensed physician and only take medications prescribed by their doctors to treat their illnesses.

The Health Care Agency’s toll-free health referral line, (800) 564-8448, provides information about low-cost health resources in Orange County.   HCA’ s Safe Healthcare Project also provides public education to the community about the dangers of using unlicensed providers. The Project also distributes information about low-cost community health resources.  For more information about licensed health providers, the Safe Healthcare Project or to order materials and/or a request a group presentation from the program, call the Safe Healthcare Project at (714) 796-8295 or (714) 796-0251. Additional information is available on HCA’s Web site at www.ochealthinfo.com/safehealth.

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