A Bell helicopter for medical assistance made in Slovakia was presented at the Chisinau International Airport by the administration of the Transport Ministry on October 22. The Ministry is considering the possibility of purchasing two new air ambulances.

The representative of Bell Helicopter company Jakub Hoda said the helicopter is designed to provide emergency medical care, being the only one that allows transporting two patients lying simultaneously, two members of the medical personnel and two crew members. “It is a last-generation aircraft whose operational costs are lower. Furthermore, this helicopter provides increased safety,” stated Jakub Hoda.

Contacted by IPN, the head of the administration board of IS “Moldaeroservice” Oleg Tofilat said the procurement of the helicopters is stipulated in the Transport Ministry’s strategy for modernizing the fleet of the Aviasan air ambulance service, which now consists of two Soviet MI-2 helicopters.

A helicopter costs US$6-7 million. The necessary financial resources are yet to be identified.