A group of Vaiola nurses led by Matron Akesa Halatanu, protested at the Royal Palace Office this morning where they presented a petition to increase their salary.

This afternoon, the Minister of Health Hon. Dr Saia Piukala, told a media briefing that he was not aware of they had gone to the Palace, and that it took him by a surprise.

The Minister said there had been talks between him with CEO Dr. 'Ofanoa and the nurses, regarding their petition to raise their salary.

He said they had just held a meeting yesterday together with the nurses about their concerns for a pay increase, and it ended well.

“I gave them two options: either I will take their petition today to the Prime Minister and to the Cabinet, or for the nurses to fix some parts of their petition and take it to the first Cabinet meeting next year."

He said the hospital was left short staffed this morning due to the protest.

"This caused a hassle at the hospital. We ran around finding nurses to fill in this morning," he said.

Dr. Piukala acknowledged the nurses who protest this morning, who also went back to the hospital and continue with the day's work.

Looking forward, Dr. Piukala said they would focus on the services of the hospital, and tending to the patients.

At the media briefing the Prime Minister and Health Minister said they had not seen the official petition, and the Palace Office had yet to provide an official statement on the matter.