LOME, Jan. 30  -- Three Chinese experts in epidemiology are training 500 health workers in Togo to help strengthen the West African country's Ebola prevention efforts.

Pr. Napo Koura Gado, General Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and Vice President of the committee against Ebola disease, launched Friday in Lome the first part of the training session designed for community health workers.

He welcomed the program and said the community health workers are a key component of case detection and suspected persons monitoring.

The next part of the program will be held in the city of Kara, health professionals involved in the prevention and the control efforts regarding Ebola virus will receive the training.

"China is participating in Togo's efforts to fight off Ebola disease through the program by offering its experience and counseling to better the country's action plans as well as training local medical staff," the Chinese Ambassador to Togo Liu Yuxi said.