A mystery shopping survey conducted on quality of service provided by the nation’s health facilities has revealed some level of malpractices which do not auger well for the image of the service.Mystery shopping is field-based marketing and research technique in which researchers pose as customers to gather information about product quality and service delivery of a company.The research revealed that while some of the facilities were charging illegal fees those who charged, the appropriate fees also failed to issue receipts to clients.It also uncovered that some of the staff were involved in illegal or private sale of drugs to patients and, in some cases, found out that there was unauthorised trading within wards.These negative findings were brought to light at a symposium organised by the Ashanti Regional branch of the Health Services Workers Union for its members as part of the activities marking its week.In his paper on, “The role of the health the worker in quality assurance in health care delivery,” Dr Kofi Gyeketey, Medical Superintendent of the Kuntenase Government Hospital, observed that these issues had led to the negative perception of the public about the Health Service and its workers.He said “these perceptions also tend to affect the self-esteem of the staff and lead to the loss of revenue due to poor or low patronage".Dr Gyeketey, therefore, appealed to health workers to endeavour to change these negative attitudes which, were having impact on the service's corporate image.He asked them to be punctual and present on the job, to give out their best everyday to their clients, and to show sincere care and appreciation to every member of the team.Samuel Mensah, Regional Industrial Relations Officer, said as part of activities for the week-long celebration, the members embarked on a two-hour clean up exercise at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where they later presented items worth over Gh¢500 to the Children's Ward for their upkeep.The items included bags of sugar and rice, boxes of Milo and powdered milk, drinks, canned fish and tomatoes, soap and toiletries.Source: Ghanaian Times