Bainbridge, Ga. (WTXL)-- More than 150 state and local medical volunteers are giving South Georgia migrant workers free health screenings this week.

The week long volunteer driven program is aimed at giving medical students hands on experience, providing medical help to low income communities and protecting consumers from diseases.

The program coordinated through Georgia's Southwest Public Health District in Decatur County.
Volunteers set up the mobile clinics near farms where migrant workers are picking crops.

Emory University program coordinator Jerie Sumitani said, "Our statistics say for up to 60-70 percent of our patients this is the only time they've receive health care in the last year."

Spanish speaking translators helped patients, the majority of them Hispanic, understand the importance of preventative care, HIV, and other diseases.

This is the 16th year for the program. More than 350 patients have been seen so far. The free screenings will continue until Thursday. Another free clinic will be held in the fall.