Barbadians now have a new comprehensive healthcare option with the opening of Bayview Laboratory at the new Bayview Urgent Care. Previously located on George Street in Belleville, Bayview Lab has joined its sister companies, Diagnostic Radiology Services and Bayview Hospital, to provide complete, patient-centered care under one roof.

Bayview Urgent Care, along with its laboratory and diagnostic radiology departments, is now open to the public with phased operating hours. In June, it will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., extending to midnight in July and transitioning to a full 24-hour service by August.

Well known across Barbados for its HPV and STI-4 self-collection kits, Bayview Lab has expanded its diagnostic capabilities to include a broad range of new tests. These include liver and kidney function tests, prenatal and thyroid panels, as well as screenings for colorectal, ovarian, prostate, and other types of cancer. In addition, the laboratory has enhanced its STI testing services to screen for Hepatitis B and C, Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2, Syphilis, and HIV (including both antibody and antigen testing).

Medical Laboratory Director, Dr Lyndon Waterman, described this expansion as phase one of the lab’s broader rollout.

“Our goal is to serve as a comprehensive health partner by equipping physicians with the diagnostic tools they need to provide exceptional care. As part of this effort, we will be introducing phlebotomy services starting July 1, 2025, allowing walk-in patients to access lab services more easily,” he explained.

At the official opening ceremony of Bayview Urgent Care, Hospital Administrator Jules Reid announced a significant new partnership between Bayview Labs and the international genetics firm, CariGenetics.

“We are thrilled to announce that Bayview Labs has partnered with CariGenetics to offer advanced genetic testing. With these tests, you will have access to Paternity tests, a cancer risk profile, your risk for developing kidney disease, and also a drug profile that guides your clinical team as to which medications will work best for you. These can be especially helpful for supporting mental health.”

Bayview Laboratory’s new home at Bayview Urgent Care marks an essential step in making quality healthcare more accessible to the community. With extended operating hours, a wider range of tests available and exciting new partnerships, the lab is ensuring that Barbadians have access to the quality healthcare they need, when they need it most.

The post Bayview Lab launches full-service laboratory in new Bayview Urgent Care appeared first on Barbados Today.

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Santo Domingo.- Tourism leader and businessman Frank Rainieri has called for urgent international action in response to the growing environmental threat of sargassum, warning that the region is bracing for more than 31 million tons of the seaweed. Speaking at The Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Summit in the Dominican Republic, Rainieri described sargassum as a “plague” and stressed the importance of creating government-backed research centers to develop sustainable solutions for its collection and reuse.

Despite collaboration with international experts, Rainieri noted that no efficient or economically viable method has yet been found to tackle the seaweed’s rapid spread. He urged that all environmental initiatives in the country be self-sustaining and aligned with nature to ensure long-term viability.

Rainieri, founder of Grupo Puntacana, also shared how the group has turned environmental challenges into conservation opportunities. One key example is water use for golf courses. Faced with the limited capacity of the Punta Cana aquifer, the group pioneered wastewater recycling, now treating and reusing four million gallons daily to irrigate green areas and three golf courses—completely avoiding the use of fresh groundwater.

The group also addressed solid waste management by initiating waste classification and vermiculture (composting with Californian worms). Currently, Grupo Puntacana is implementing Earth Flow, a large-scale organic waste processing system capable of handling up to 3,000 metric tons annually from residences, hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and the Punta Cana Airport.

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A popular diet trend may have its origins in the Bible.

Intermittent fasting, a pattern of eating based on time limits, is intended to assist with weight loss and other health benefits, according to Mayo Clinic.

There are several types of intermittent fasting, but they all follow the same concept of alternating between fasting and eating — a practice that is often mentioned in biblical scripture.

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With a time-restricted approach to intermittent fasting, the dieter only eats during a certain window. For example, with the 16/8 method, the person fasts for 16 hours and then can eat within an eight-hour span, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

Other versions involve fasting for a full 24 hours once or twice per week — or only consuming limited calories on fasting days.

"The idea is that intermittent fasting causes the body’s cells to change how they work," states Mayo Clinic's website. "Timed eating may push cells to focus on repair, energy use and balancing body-wide functions."

Religious fasting is practiced in many faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism, as well as Hinduism, Judaism and Taoism, research shows.

Around 21% of Americans report that they fast for certain periods of time for religious reasons, according to a 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center.

Some view intermittent fasting as a modern-day form of biblical fasting. 

Fasting is mentioned in the Bible as a way to be closer to God. 

In Matthew 6:16-18, for example, Jesus instructs his followers on how to fast.

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"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Specifically, when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face. So, that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Fasting is also mentioned in Joel 2:12, when the Lord declares, "Yet even now, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."

Various religions teach that fasting improves self-control, increases spiritual awareness and even fosters empathy for the less fortunate, according to Pew.

While religious fasting is for spiritual purposes, intermittent fasting may also have physical and mental benefits that go beyond the primary goal of weight loss.

Studies have shown that the practice may have positive impacts on blood pressure, cardiovascular health, cognitive function and other health factors — but the long-term effects aren’t as clear.

"When changes occur with this metabolic switch, it affects the body and brain," Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Mark Mattson, who has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years, states on the hospital's website.

Mattson's research has confirmed multiple health benefits associated with fasting, including greater longevity, a leaner physique and a sharper mind.

"Many things happen during intermittent fasting that can protect organs against chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, age-related neurodegenerative disorders, even inflammatory bowel disease and many cancers," he said.

However, Fox News Digital previously reported on a 2024 study that linked time-restricted eating to a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death.

"Intermittent fasting is not appropriate for people with a history of disordered eating or active eating disorders, those with hypoglycemia or type 1 diabetes on insulin, children under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and more," New Jersey-based registered dietitian Lauren Harris-Pincus told Fox News Digital at the time.

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Ohio-based cardiologist Dr. Lou Vadlamani was not involved in the study, but told Fox News Digital that it would be "a stretch" to conclusively say that fasting has a direct impact on heart attack risk.

"It certainly raises a lot of questions and supports the need for a more comprehensive study, since intermittent fasting has become so common," he said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

As with every major lifestyle change, it’s important to check with a doctor before starting intermittent fasting, experts advise.

Blood type “B” positive or any other type is urgently needed for Grismeily Benítez Contreras, 13 years old, who is at Dr. Robert Reid Cabral Pediatric Hospital.

The minor, who, along with her sister, suffers from a rare skin disease called epidermolysis, popularly known as “crystal skin .”

According to an admission document from the aforementioned medical center, the little girl was admitted this Friday due to severe anemia.