Ecuador has become the second Latin American country -after Mexico- to incorporate Da Vinci robot technology in gynecological surgical operations such as hysterectomies in its public hospitals. This development has major and positive implications for women's health. Traditional hysterectomies have a 13% complication rate, but with the use of the Da Vinco robot, the figure plummets to 1% and the operation becomes a relatively minor procedure. While Ecuador has invested US$4.5 million in the technology, the operations are free of charge in public hospitals. Liz Scherffius reports from Quito. teleSUR