All such cities having previously obtained the consent of the county commissioners of the county and the council of any city or borough, or the township commissioners or township supervisors of the township, where such land is situated, are hereby authorized and empowered to operate and maintain hospitals for the care and treatment of the sick or disabled within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, either within or without the limits of the county in which such city is located, to the extent and in the manner that such functions are now carried on within the city limits.
53 P.S. § 13602