The Côte d’Ivoire’s (Ivory Coast) Air Force has acquired two second hand Mi-8P transport helicopters, which it intends to use for medical evacuation duties as part of the country’s mobilisation efforts against the Coronavirus epidemic.
The two helicopters (TU-VHL and TU-VHN) were delivered to the Force Aerienne de la Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast Air Force) in mid-March and were seen transiting Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain on 14 March during their ferry flight to Abidjan.
The Mi-8 transport helicopters will be operated by the Groupe Aérien de Transport et de Liaison (Air Transport and Liaison Group), based at Abidjan-Port Bouet Airport.
It was announced during a visit by the Chief of Armed Forces Staff General Lassina Doumbia to Abidjan Air Base on 25 March that an Airbus DS C295W, an Antonov An-26, and a Mil Mi-8P helicopter were to be made available for airlifting Covid-19 patients.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ivory Coast
Three days ago, the Ivorian health minister Dr. Aouélé Eugene Aka announced the country’s first confirmed coronavirus death during a daily briefing.
Dr. Aouélé later announced another 25 cases of the virus had been recorded, bringing the official total in the country to 165.