A doctor is free to choose his/her patient but once taken charge he/she must attend to any emergency pertaining to the case.

The patient must never be neglected. Regulation 2.4 of the MCI Code of Ethics Regulations, 2002 states: “A physician is free to choose whom he will serve. He should, however, respond to any request for his assistance in an emergency. Once having undertaken a case, the physician should not neglect the patient, nor should he withdraw from the case without giving adequate notice to the patient and his family. Provisionally or fully registered medical practitioner shall not wilfully commit an act of negligence that may deprive his patient or patients from necessary medical care.”