South Korean electronics giant Samsung has entered the East African healthcare industry with a new line of health and medical equipment it says is suitable for urban and rural health centers,  according to a report in AllAfrica.

Samsung has begun manufacturing digital radiography, in-vitro diagnostics and ultrasound equipment, the report said.

“There is likely to be a growing need for reliable and mobile diagnostic equipment (in Africa),” said Robert Ngeru, Samsung Electronics East Africa CEO. “We are therefore looking to bring together our expertise in electronics and IT technology to provide healthcare providers with the tools they require.”

The new products’ digital capabilities will allow results to be transmitted anywhere in the world. “This is extremely important especially for us in Africa, since patients in remote areas will be easily able to visit a mobile telemedicine clinic and have their medical images examined by specialists anywhere around the globe,” Ngeru said.

Samsung is best known in the chip, video imaging and mobile device markets, the report said. Coupled with experience in robotics, the company says it used these strengths to develop technology advanced enough to manage remote diagnostics.

Manufacturing products that are suitable for the African market furthers Samsung’s mission to bring “built for Africa” to the continent, Ngeru said.