116 surgical abortions performed on P.E.I. so far this year, province says

Health PEI says 116 surgical abortions were performed at the Prince County Hospital in Summersidebetween Jan. 31 to Oct. 31.

The statistics aboutthe Women's Wellness Program, which provides a variety of reproductive and sexual health services to Islanders, were released Wednesday.

Health PEI also announced it is now offering the abortion drug Mifegymiso for free through the program at the Prince County Hospital.

• More on P.E.I.'s abortion controversy
• Medical students want P.E.I. to offer free access to abortion drug
• Health PEI undecided on whether it will cover cost of abortion drug

"This increases reproductive choice and options for women on the Island," said Rachelle Pike, manager of the Women's Wellness Program and Sexual Health Services with Health PEI.

"They do not have to leave the Island for a surgical abortion nor do they have to leave the Island for a medical abortion. With regards to reproductive rights and choice, it's exciting."

Women accessing Mifegymiso from their family doctor or a specialist will have to cover the $300 cost for the drug themselves.

Rural wellness centres

The province is looking atmaking the drug available for free at new expanded women's wellness satellite centres in Souris,O'Leary and Alberton, so rural women have equal access to this treatment.

Women wantingMifegymisooutside of the programhave to pay the drug cost.

"Women should have as many options as possible when facing a difficult time in their lives, which is why we fully support steps taken to roll out access to the medical abortion pill in P.E.I.," said Jillian Kilfoil, executive director of Women's Network PEI.

Before 2017, P.E.I. was the only province that did not offer surgical abortions, though it would pay for the service off-Island. In 2016, the MacLauchlan government pledged to change that, andJanuary of this year, abortion services were offered on P.E.I. for the first time since 1982.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |'A dream come true': P.E.I. photographer featured in Canadian Geographic
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |'More than just warmth': Island woman delivering sleeping bags for children in poverty