LEGAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATION OF A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER TO THE PATIENT By DECEMBER 2024 Chukwu Emmanuel ABSTRACT Navigating the complex world of medical law is a tightrope walk for healthcare/medical professionals and institutions. One misstep can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the well -being of patients but also the reputation and livelihood of those involved. This paper discuss the legal framework governing medical practice in Nigeria, particularly the rights and obligations of medical practitioners towards their patients. The key points covered includes; the relevant laws and regulations that govern medical practice in Nigeria, the need for proper enforcement mechanism to ensure accountability for medical malpractice and negligence, the established legal principle that medical practitioners owe a duty of duty of care to their patients which requires a high degree of skill and competence, the potential consequence of medical negligence including legal actions against medical practitioners and health care institution, the importance of creating awareness and enlightened programs to educate patients about their rights and duty of care expected from medical practitioners. INTRODUCTION Medical Practitionership is delicate in the various field of practice particularly because it deals with the protection of human life as well as experimentation of human body. In a bid to properly regulate the activities and conduct of medical practitioners to be held accountable for their act or omission the law came into force. It is now an established law that medical practitioners owe a sacrosanct medical duty of care to their patients which requires a high degree of skill and competence;